On the recordMay 27, 2010
This year for the first time in history, the Air Force trained more UAV pilots than traditional fighter pilots. However, our fleet of unmanned aircraft has expanded, and we have also maintained and continued to build a large force of conventional manned aircraft. This study will help Congress better understand the optimal most cost-effective balance between the two for a range of operations. It will also help us determine the feasibility and desirability of a more rapid transition to unmanned aircraft for these operations. This study will also force the Department of Defense and Congress to confront the fact that the United States is not the only Nation capable of building and deploying these very effective, very lethal technologies. If the future of warfare lies in unmanned technology, will our military be prepared to defend the United States and its allies against attacks by enemies who possess large numbers of unmanned aircraft? It's my hope that this study will help Congress prioritize and plan for this future and adopt the most cost-effective mix of manned and unmanned aircraft.





