An uncrewed fighter needs a plan for losing communications and a clear limit on its authority to release weapons. Greater independent decision-making requires more onboard computing, which adds weight, fuel demand, and cooling requirements. The cooling system must also avoid creating a conspicuous thermal signature. Data security and accountability become especially serious when an aircraft carries several missiles and can act without immediate supervision. Domestic political acceptance is another constraint on granting that authority. Crewed-uncrewed teaming offers a way to combine the benefits of unmanned aircraft with human control over their employment.
Notable Point · 2:00:36-2:02:35
Why autonomous fighters still need a command system
Communications failures and weapons authority drive an autonomous fighter's computing, cooling, security, and command requirements.