Lockheed Martin wins U.S. Dept of War contract for US$12.5B, to supply 296, F-35 fighters

[onetrack]

There must be some champagne flowing in the boardroom of Lockheed Martin right about now, with this successful major F-35 contract. The fighters are being built for both USAAF and International customers.

 

I can't help but feel though, that these fighters will be the last fighters containing pilots, ever designed and built. Drone technology is advancing so rapidly, these F-35's are in danger of becoming wasted defence expenditure.

 

https://www.flightglobal.com/fixed-wing/lockheed-martin-secures-contract-for-296-f-35-fighters/164719.article

 

[T510]

I think we will first move to Loyal Wingman drones like the Boeing MQ-28 Ghost Bat but the days of manned fighters are numbered.

 

It makes sense, if anything happens to the fighter you are unlikely to lose the pilot, and you remove the limitations of the human body on aircraft performance.