New USAF Demonstration team

[Greg Myers]

[Ace-Garageguy]

Now that's funny.

[unclescott58]

That's kind of cool. It will never replace piloted jets for doing the same thing. But, doing that type of flying from remote control is impressive too.

Scott

[Ace-Garageguy]

I'll betcha anything that's p-shopped. Flying close formation with multiple aircraft relies on constant visual input to the pilots from the other aircraft's relative positions. I really don't believe you can do it on remote TV monitors and RC joysticks.

Even flying loose formation with a single other aircraft is a challenge that really raises your blood pressure, and I doubt that, unless three of those drones are slaved to the lead ship (and that would only duplicate control inputs of the lead ship...not make the minuscule corrections necessary for each individual ship) it's real.

I could be wrong.

[Greg Myers]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YQIMGV5vtd4 maybe they have to fly inside.

[unclescott58]

maybe they have to fly inside.

Wow! That video blew me away. Is that cool!

Scott

[JohnU]

I'm no software geek but how about a single computer program that controls multiple units in a 3D environment? No need for pilots for visual reference! Potential for some wild acrobatic impossible with humans in the cockpit! Kinda like the video!

Edited March 19, 2015 by JohnU

[Ace-Garageguy]

I'm no software geek but how about a single computer program that controls multiple units in a 3D environment? No need for pilots for visual reference! Potential for some wild acrobatic impossible with humans in the cockpit! Kinda like the video!

Entirely possible in theory, and the physical and processing limitations of a human body and mind ARE limitations to maximum aircraft performance.

Only little problem is that when you're flying a tight formation like in the OP photo, you get wingtip vortices, varying prop wash, and wind gusting that's not entirely predictable. That's where the parallel reasoning capabilities and being able to apply experience without really thinking make human pilots still kinda necessary in some roles.

If something's not entirely predictable, it can be challenging to program for...though new approaches to machine "thought" are making impressive inroads.

Edited March 19, 2015 by Ace-Garageguy