Long-range uncrewed aircraft carrying substantial weapons and performing complex tasks will be much larger than small battlefield drones. They need onboard computing because moving more computation elsewhere increases communications demand and exposure to disruption. Satellite bandwidth is finite, and coverage depends on the number and position of available satellites. One proposed alternative is a high-altitude aircraft carrying laser links above the carrier group. It would have to fly very high to provide useful connections, so replacing satellite links would bring its own operating requirements.
Chapter · 1:19:50-1:21:18
Why long-range uncrewed aircraft need onboard computing
Payload, onboard computing, and limited communications capacity constrain the size and operation of future uncrewed carrier aircraft.