A comment about Tempest's computing demands leads to a comparison between additional electronics and a second crew member. In the comparison described here, a two-seat aircraft could be cheaper to support than a single-seat aircraft carrying all the proposed computers. The calculation includes the equipment's electrical power, cooling, and sustainment needs. This remains a reported design comparison, with the human option said to be performing better in the calculations so far.
Notable Point · 1:39:56-1:40:47
When another crew member could cost less than more computers
Computing power brings electrical and cooling costs that can make a second aircraft crew member competitive with further automation.