Carriers can last half a century, or more. So I do like to keep them useful for all missions given we will have them for a long time even if other weapons are better for sea control missions.
Can we include enough MQ-25A Stingray drone aerial tankers in a carrier air wing to increase the range of fighter squadrons?
The MQ-25A Stingray is a carrier-based unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) designed primarily as an aerial refueling tanker for carrier air wings.
It represents the first operational carrier-compatible unmanned aircraft in US naval aviation history and is intended to dramatically extend the reach of fighter aircraft by providing organic refueling capability at sea.
Secondary missions include intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) support.
This is useful for their already potent power projection role. I wonder if aerial combat drones could extend the range of carrier air wings enough to make them sea control apex predators rather than expensive prey.
NOTE: TDR Winter War of 2022 coverage continues here.
NOTE: You may also like to read my posts on Substack, at The Dignified Rant: Evolved. Go ahead and subscribe to it. It's the right thing to do!
NOTE: Photo from the article.
