Unpiloted Passenger Jet Tests

spacepingu writes "The UK military recently tested a remote-controlled passenger jet over south-west England. Although the pilot was sitting in the back of the aging BAC 1-11, he controlled it entirely using the 'UAV Command and Control Interface (UAVCCI)'. This also allowed him to operate several virtual UAVs in a simulated attack scenario. The ultimate goal is for a fighter pilot to control a swarm of attack UAVs alongside his own plane. Next March, a Tornado fighter pilot will use the UAVCCI to fly the unpiloted BAC1-11 as well as several simulated UAVs, all from the cockpit of his own jet."

Comments

Re:The real benefit of fly-by-radio

[AslanTheMentat]

Here ya go:
Milgram Experiment
YA article...

Re:Trans-Oceanic Cargo.

[b0s0z0ku]

Such a plane could fly low and slow to save fuel, because it wouldn't have to worry about pilots or passengers getting tired.

Sort of like an Ekranoplan? Cool idea - you can get a lot of lifting capacity with less fuel usage. The only problem is more vulnerability to weather effects than current high-level jets, but I could still see a use in situations that aren't extremely time sensitive - if the weather's bad today, they'll simply fly tomorrow or route around trouble spots. Still probably faster than a 6-day ocean crossing by cargo ship.

-b.

Re:Seems to me more like an exercise in stupidity

[Jon Luckey]

When the range of "punishments" is as stupidly large as 450V, which is _far_ into the lethal range

Just for future reference, its current that's deadly, not voltage. For example you get zapped by way more than 450 volts from a static spark like you get from scuffing your feet on some carpet.