"The U.S. Navy is planning to demonstrate an
armed, sensor-equipped, carrier-based unmanned
combat aircraft system (UCAS) by 2018, as a
follow-on to carrier-suitability and autonomous
aerial-refueling demonstrations planned for
completion in 2013."

See:

http://www.aviationweek.com/aw/generic/story.jsp?id=news/asd/2010/02/19/05.xml&headline=U.S.%20Navy%20Plans%20Armed%20UCAS-D%20Follow-on&channel=defense

On Feb 20, 12:22*am, wrote:
> "The U.S. Navy is planning to demonstrate an
> armed, sensor-equipped, carrier-based unmanned
> combat aircraft system (UCAS) by 2018, as a
> follow-on to carrier-suitability and autonomous
> aerial-refueling demonstrations planned for
> completion in 2013."
>
> See:
>
> http://www.aviationweek.com/aw/generic/story.jsp?id=news/asd/2010/02/....

As an old time Shadowrun player, the idea of a "UCAS" weapons system
warms my heart on many levels!

David E. Powell ha scritto:
> On Feb 20, 12:22 am, wrote:
>> "The U.S. Navy is planning to demonstrate an
>> armed, sensor-equipped, carrier-based unmanned
>> combat aircraft system (UCAS) by 2018, as a
>> follow-on to carrier-suitability and autonomous
>> aerial-refueling demonstrations planned for
>> completion in 2013."

>> http://www.aviationweek.com/aw/generic/story.jsp?id=news/asd/2010/02/...

> As an old time Shadowrun player, the idea of a "UCAS" weapons system
> warms my heart on many levels!

I suspect this chill the spine of every EMCON-conscious Admiral...
(aside that UCAV's logic can be duped in ignoring (and not reporting)
shadowing missile-toting a/c during the return leg...)

UAV can be really great in giving back cruising ships (that is, CGs and
DDG) the long-range reconnaissance capability of yore, given by
floatplanes until late 1940s, but UCAV from CVN is a big no-no, esp. if
guidance of these is from the said CVN.

Best regards from Italy,
Dott. Piergiorgio.

On Feb 20, 12:22*am, wrote:
> "The U.S. Navy is planning to demonstrate an
> armed, sensor-equipped, carrier-based unmanned
> combat aircraft system (UCAS) by 2018, as a
> follow-on to carrier-suitability and autonomous
> aerial-refueling demonstrations planned for
> completion in 2013."
>
> See:
>
> http://www.aviationweek.com/aw/generic/story.jsp?id=news/asd/2010/02/....

LA Times article on the drone "pilots" of Nevada

http://www.latimes.com/news/nation-and-world/la-fg-drone-crews21-2010feb21,0,2614633.story