Does a 15k bonus for drone pilots mark the future end to piloted aircraft?

2015-07-15T23:42:14-04:00

The Air Force just announce a 15K a year bonus for some drone operators. Does this mark a change of the guard in reference to manned and unmanned aircraft. With popularity soaring surrounding UAVs, does the demise or extreme reduction in manned aircraft in the military seem eminent?

Response by SGT Christopher Hamman made Jul 15 at 2015 11:53 PM

2015-07-15T23:53:13-04:00

I doubt it, and I certainly hope not! As a ground pounder, I can assure you that some of the most welcome sounds I ever heard while on training maneuvers were the reports of the Vulcan Autocannon in the nose of an A-10. If I knew that it was being flown by wire, that sound would be frightening instead of comforting.

Response by COL Charles Williams made Jul 16 at 2015 12:15 AM

2015-07-16T00:15:56-04:00

No way... a friggin bonus for a drone pilot? CW3 Private RallyPoint Member I thought bonuses were generally for hard to fill jobs, or jobs that are recruited heavily from the outside? Excuse me for my ignorance, but are drone pilots sought after in the civilian world?

Response by MAJ Bryan Zeski made Jul 16 at 2015 1:49 AM

2015-07-16T01:49:21-04:00

Has anyone seen Robocop? THAT's how war SHOULD be! The opening Iran scene. =)

Response by SGT Christopher Hamman made Jul 16 at 2015 2:35 AM

2015-07-16T02:35:31-04:00

Response by SPC Jeffrey Bly made Jul 16 at 2015 8:47 AM

2015-07-16T08:47:21-04:00

You're still going to need people on sight to make those decisions that only somebody there in person can make. A camera doesn't see everything. You're still going to need assessment by individuals who have the whole picture around them.

Response by SGT David T. made Jul 16 at 2015 8:59 AM

2015-07-16T08:59:21-04:00

I think drones are the future of aerial warfare. With the technology today a drone can in theory perform every aviation role currently performed by manned aircraft. I know that the Transportation Corps has been looking at unmanned trucks as well. Imagine having the capabilities with none of the risk to lives (ours). I think this is a good think so long as the platforms are manually operated by people.

Response by Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS made Jul 16 at 2015 9:10 AM

2015-07-16T09:10:22-04:00

End of Piloted aircraft no. End of specific types of piloted aircraft? Yes.

We will always need airlift capability, for troops, supplies, equipment, etc. For that, we will need qualified pilots. But... Do we need to put a person in harms way for an Intercept or an attack run or a reconnaissance mission when something smaller and faster and cheaper could work?

I realize the USAF associates A LOT of prestige with the Fighter community, but that is just a small portion of what they do, just like Infantry is just a small portion of what the Army & Marines do. If the Air Force can minimize risk by reducing "men in air" and "men in combat" isn't that a good thing? Now, the issue we have is Prestige. "Everyone" wants Prestige. We see it in all the services, whether it's Recon, Rangers, Seals, or Fighter Pilots. No one wants to be a "Water Dog" or a HVAC Repair Man or heaven help us a "Drone Pilot"... but if you offer an incentive (like a reenlistment bonus) for a specialty skill to keep these people in, which just helps the service save lives in the long run, that's money well spent.

Response by Col Joseph Lenertz made Jul 16 at 2015 9:35 AM

2015-07-16T09:35:42-04:00

No, bonuses aren't given due to popularity. No one wants to be a drone pilot, and after you force them into it, they almost all want to exit after their first tour. It's a crappy lifestyle, and their inability to decompress between combat sorties and home life makes for unique psychological stresses. The bonus is a retention effort, but I don't think it will work. We need to make real changes in how they do their jobs. The AF is looking into how to do that. As to the discussion on rated officer vs enlisted, recent failures with Gray Eagle have moved the AF to be more solidly behind the idea they need to be rated officers.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 16 at 2015 9:59 AM

2015-07-16T09:59:28-04:00

John Boyd predicted that, eventually, all fighter jets would be unmanned. He did this in the 50s & 60s.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 16 at 2015 10:58 AM

2015-07-16T10:58:57-04:00

Hopefully. Why would I ever put a Soldier (Airman, Sailor, or Marine) in defended air space if I didn't have to? Hopefully we can start using remote controlled tanks too.

Response by PO1 John Miller made Jul 16 at 2015 12:27 PM

2015-07-16T12:27:56-04:00

As a person who works for a UAV squadron (civilian contractor) for the Air National Guard I will say that the demand for UAV pilots is definitely increasing but at the same time I don't see manned aircraft going anywhere now or in the future.