An optionally crewed aircraft preserves a cockpit and controls while allowing the same basic airframe to fly without a pilot. A commander might retain the pilot for a mission demanding onboard judgment, remove the crew for especially dangerous work, or pair one crewed aircraft with several uncrewed loyal wingmen. The Queen Bee provides an early analogue because its radio-control equipment occupied one seat while retaining controls for a pilot. The flexibility is attractive, but secure and safe operation across all those modes is technically difficult.
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Optionally crewed aircraft and loyal wingmen
Optionally crewed designs let commanders choose an onboard pilot, remote operation, or uncrewed wingmen according to mission risk and command needs.