Advanced Unmanned Combat Air System

The U.S. Air Force has just started low-rate initial production of its Advanced Unmanned Combat Air System A-UCAS), a stealthy, long range, hypersonic, 6th Generation remotely piloted (RPV) ground attack aircraft. This “MQ-After Next,” has revolutionary battle management and mission integration tools, artificial intelligence enabled “brilliant” navigation, acquisition, targeting and networking systems. It meets the DoD requirement for a semi-autonomous very deep strike capability.

However, a higher than programmed independent cost estimate for the outyears in an era of “flat” DoD budgets may lead to cuts in the number of aircraft procured.

Program advocates have lobbied the Deputy Secretary of Defense that because its capabilities might allow the A-UCAS to be used for ISR, the program should be included in the MIP (as was the Predator), which might thereby attract additional support and funding for additional acquisition.

Should the Air Force A-2 (Deputy Chief of Staff, ISR) and the USD/I&S “concur” or “not concur” with the MIP suggestion? And why?