SNFO: What to fly?

[ordinary_guy]

The trend in military aircraft has been toward smaller crews. Consider: a b-17 had ten crewmen; a b-52 has around five or six; and a b-1 has only four. However, you make a good point, Pat. I hadn't thought of the issue in terms of increasingly complicated weapon systems.

 

[TurnandBurn55]

Yes, but then again (and I'm no expert--yet-- so feel free to correct me if I'm wrong) the military also can't be overly dependent upon automation and computer systems. There is electronic warfare and such out there, plus the basic fact that electronics can crap out at bad times. So there has to be redundancy on military aircraft.

What's a real good way to do that? Have a guy in the back seat...

 

[ordinary_guy]

And that's where those of us nearsighted types with Goose-like visions of Top Gun glory come into the picture.

 

[Thisguy]

Hey, just be glad the Navy hasn't gone to the remote control plane you see in those air force commercials.