Teaching a New Dog Old Tricks: Replacing Man with Artificial Intelligence in Combat Aircraft

摘要

By 2025 the U.S. is counting on the Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) to be the backbone of its offensive aerial arm. JSF, with a service life of 40 to 50 years, is expected to replace the F-16 and A-10 in the USAF-inventory. For the U.S. Marine Corps, JSF will take the place of the AV-8 and F-18. The U.S. Navy needs JSF for long range strike as a replacement for the F-14 and F-18. All told, the U.S. intends to buy a stupendous number of JSFs-nearly 3,000 aircraft. Yet, increasing computer power affords the U.S. the option of replacing manned strike aircraft with an uninhabited combat aerial vehicle (UCAV). Without a pilot, the UCAV offers tremendous increases in lethality and survivability. The enhanced effectiveness of modern air defense systems, coupled with the high cost of crewed aircraft and the increasing value placed on human life is forcing the adoption of unmanned aerial vehicles for the combat role. This paper takes the position that at the current pace of technological advancement the UCAV will provide the United States with a cornerstone combat capability far exceeding that of the JSF by 2016. UCAV capacity will render JSF obsolete far ahead of its service life.