France has unveiled plans to develop a new uncrewed combat air vehicle (UCAV) that will complement the forthcoming Rafale F5 crewed fighter, as part of a new-look French Air and Space Force. The industrial side of the drone program will be headed up by Dassault Aviation, drawing upon its previous nEUROn UCAV demonstrator, which has already been used in trials with crewed combat aircraft.
10 years ago people called me insane for suggesting that after the F-35, new fighters will be drones. 3-4 years ago people thought it was unlikely that an F-35 would really end up being a command center for for a “swarm” of drones.
The limiting factor in a fighter is the human. You can’t pull more than 9Gs without knocking out the pilot. You can pull all of the life support systems out of the aircraft too. Eliminate the cockpit all together.
the movie Toys called it 30 years ago although they were remotely controlled, not automated.