Originally Posted by
Flameout
"...do you really think thousands of hours in a manned aircraft and actual combat experience is a hindrance to succesful UAS operations?"
A hindrance? No. But necessary? Or even a worthwhile expenditure of training resources for the value received? Very debatable (despite your valiant attempt to portray the value received as indispensable). We're entering a new age of unmanned weapons, and we need new standards of necessary skill sets, as well as training, to operate these weapons.
You forgot judgement, decision-making, and situational awareness - which (despite whether you think it so or not) are critical in the interpretation of ROE and their analysis with respect to the current situation and the legality of the application of deadly force. Those characteristics are also critical in the tactical employment of the UAS with respect to mission requirements, enemy detection and destruction capabilities, and the location and capabilities of other assets in the area.
You may think that the sky being blue is debatable, that doesn't make it so. If you believe that being able to detect an image on a CRT is the most critical skill for a UAS pilot, you haven't figured out the role of these assets. As for physical tasks required of the pilot, those will be trained to anyone in that role. The ultimate role of Capt is decision-maker, that's why we still require experience to occupy that seat. The ultimate role of the UAS operator is as an ISR platform commander, still no change. The introduction of autopilot and glass technology did not change the basic requirements of the airline Capt (according to your line of thinking they should have), the same as where they pilot sits does not change the basic requirements of ISR commander.
You know, we do have other ISR assets that are manned. Do you believe we should put non-rated pilots into those assets? What's the difference between the two - in fact, the unmanned asset is bigger, faster, and flies higher and farther. I am sure you don't think they should, but for some reason you think the new non-rated guy with no previous experience should go into the only ISR platform that employs ordnance. That just does not make sense, regardless of what you think about it.