Why drone-controlling fighters may need two crew

Would controlling combat drones require a two-seat F-35 or similar aircraft?

One drone may be manageable by a pilot, but larger teams likely require a second operator or substantial computing power distributed with the penetrating force.

One pilot may be able to supervise a single uncrewed wingman while flying the crewed aircraft. Coordinating several capable drones creates a heavier workload and supports the case for a second operator. Replacing that person with computing equipment adds weight and power demand, as well as systems that must integrate the drones with the pilot. Another proposal uses a Citation- or small Gulfstream-sized aircraft to control the formation's drones. Concentrating control aboard an AWACS creates a vulnerable command hub and conflicts with the requirements of a low-observable penetrating force. A distributed mesh reduces dependence on that one aircraft, while point-to-point laser links offer a way to communicate without broadcasting widely. The number of drones and their assigned tasks therefore matter more than a blanket rule that every future fighter needs two seats.