A distinctive drone-control aircraft becomes the first target

Should one multi-crew command aircraft direct several uncrewed combat aircraft, and can it be hidden among them?

A visibly or electronically distinct controller becomes the enemy's priority target, while making every drone similar enough to conceal it imposes costly limits on the entire formation.

Destroying the control aircraft could disrupt several partners at once, so an opponent has every incentive to identify it first. Differences in airframe, sensors, emissions, or behaviour may reveal the command node even when designers try to disguise it. Making all aircraft sufficiently similar could reduce that signature, but it also forces the cheaper drones to carry constraints intended for the crewed platform. Distributed or less obvious control arrangements are therefore preferable to a unique and conspicuous airborne headquarters.