Much of the modern US naval-aviation nomenclature stabilized only in the 1960s, with carrier groups becoming wings in 1963. That four-decade institutional development helps explain why uncrewed aviation also requires time to settle questions of control and integration. The term uncrewed matters because personnel still operate the aircraft even when no crew is physically aboard it. The Queen Elizabeth-class example illustrates why placing control positions aboard the carrier can better connect uncrewed systems with crewed aircraft. Keeping those controllers near the air group also reduces the volume and visibility of long-range communications with a shore headquarters.
Notable Point · 20:43-23:40
From carrier groups to wings and uncrewed aircraft
The slow evolution from carrier groups to wings provides a historical analogy for the command arrangements needed to integrate uncrewed aircraft.