Navy Pilot: JSF is Easy to Fly
A Navy Times article on test pilot Cmdr. Eric “Magic” Buus’ flight of the F-35C highlighted his description that the jet was easy to fly:
Cmdr. Eric “Magic” Buus was the first Navy test pilot to fly the F-35B and C. But hearing his take on it, you have to wonder how much the Lightning II variants really need a warm body in the cockpit.
The speculation will continue: Some theories already exist that the F-35 was purpose-built to one day be unmanned, despite its cockpit.
If it was built to be unmanned, why go through the effort of a cockpit at all? Part of the mission of a multi-role aircraft will be air-to-air. Anyone else notice that RPA’s and air-to-air training (much less actual combat) haven’t been happening?