An uncrewed bomb truck could fly to a launch point and release long-range weapons, but disrupted or spoofed control links would be dangerous in a penetrating mission. That concern helps explain why carrier-based uncrewed development might begin with tanking, a role once performed by a variant of the A-6 family. One possible loyal-wingman model has a crewed aircraft directing several uncrewed payload carriers. The support aircraft could carry fuel, air-to-air missiles, or standoff strike weapons according to the mission without forcing every role into the F-35 airframe.
Notable Point · 3:12:16-3:17:37
Uncrewed tankers may lead to loyal-wingman bomb trucks
The carrier-tanker mission offers a lower-risk path toward uncrewed aircraft that could later carry weapons under the direction of crewed fighters.