"Unlike the more famous Predator, it requires no pilot at the ground controls all the time - " .....That would be presumably during Piss Poor Performance Dumb AIMed Stealth Modes or for when there's some Hot Action in Town?

"becoming completely unmanned. Afterwards they fly with a perfect operational record. The Skynet funding bill is passed. The system goes online August 13th 2037. Skynet begins to learn at a Geometric rate. It becomes self aware 3:14 am Eastern Time."

In the panic they try to pol the plog.

Nah...he's calmed down a lot since he moved to Eureka... (OK, imdb Joe Morton, OK?).

Is that any relation to Pol Pot?

But this scheme seems to make sense.

I doubt the UK can afford a mixed manned/robot maritime ability. What would a robot-only force lose?

a perfect operational record.....

http://www.theregister.co.uk/2008/04/23/reaper_crash_afghanistan/

Don't worry! It's the UK that has the Skynet (literally.. who the FUCK names something Skynet?? ESPECIALLY MILITARY!).. and they won't buy from the US anymore.

Here in the states it seems they're always careful to never photograph Global Hawk with people around it, so people here have the impression that it's a tiny little robot plane about the size of an economy car.

I had to look up the size arguing with someone and still he wouldn't believe me. I just showed him that pic and he's gobsmacked.

It should keep me employed a while longer at least.

Even the Predator is bigger than an automobile. See for example,

http://cronkitenews.jmc.asu.edu/?p=24

http://www.acc.af.mil/shared/media/photodb/photos/060301-f-9999M-001.jpg

AC,

Have you ever wondered why American hardware/Muscle cars never made an impact anywhere? And as everything big is resolving to be very small..... nanotechnology .... do you not think that the US is being Left behind in the Technologies of the Future and are therefore Vulnerable to Micro Attacks which Penetrate dDeep and Invisibly/Stealthily.

In fact, do you Think that ITs Operating System is Fatally Flawed, Actively Compromised with ITs Core and Disciplines Disintegrating, with Proposed Activity now being a Desperate and VainGlorious RearGuard Action to Save Face/Summon Help/Negotiate for AI Peace and a Piece of the Future HyperRadioProActivity in Satellite Community ImaginaNations.

Spookily enough that sounds like a Good Beta Plan and when IT's Printed up here, I'll post it to the MTO ...the Microsystems Technology Office ..... for Registration.

Just to see if they are made of the Right Stuff or are all Full of Hollywood Guff.

The Pentagon must be glad about Future Savings in CHewing gGum Budgets.