Why loyal wingmen likely precede autonomous fighters

Will navies field independent drone fighters or stay with loyal-wingman aircraft?

Loyal wingmen are the more likely early generations; independent fighters may emerge later as software and control mature.

The panel expects the first generations of combat drones to operate as loyal wingmen under supervision from a crewed aircraft. Fully independent fighter or attack aircraft may follow later. The technical boundary is described largely as software rather than an entirely different airframe. Controlling several companions may also make a second person aboard the lead aircraft useful again. Autonomy is therefore likely to arrive through incremental changes in control and workload.