IMO the next big step in UCAV development has to be in-flight refueling. This should be a fairly easy "fix." With that done, these droning beasties could wander the world for a long, long time just hanging around waiting for the flight suited techno wimps depicted in "The Bourne Legacy" to send the machines to their appointment with destiny. You can imagine one of these heros saying to another that with just a few more "missions" in the bag he will qualify for the drone pilot medal.
An occasional maintenance stop for engine checks, computer upgrades and ordnance replenishment would be the rest of the picture.
Few really are unhappy with surveillance drones. It is the killer drones that are worrisome. If John Torquemada Brennan, known to his friends as "torky," has his way, a systematised targeting package loaded with logic and rules will serve up lists of candidates for designation to civil servants and rear echelon military types who will narrow the lists for approval by their political bosses.
A nod will then suffice for upload of that list to the flying circus. Was Dorner really under surveillance by drones? That would be a first step in CONUS.
Think judicial review folks. Think judicial review.
Hmm! What's that buzzing noise? pl
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Authorization_for_Use_of_Military_Force_Against_Terrorists
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unmanned_combat_aerial_vehicle
http://www.droneamerica.com/index.html
