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I think unmanned aircraft will always be more expensive than their manned counterparts of similar size. The base flying platform will be a similar cost, with or
by asynchronous13 13y ago
I think unmanned aircraft will always be more expensive than their manned counterparts of similar size. The base flying platform will be a similar cost, with or without the ability to carry a person. And there must be additional computer, radio, and sensor equipment in addition to the base airframe.
It's a different story for smaller systems, of course. Anything under 100 lbs will certainly (eventually) cost less than a manned aircraft.
- m4x 13y agoWhy do the "smaller systems" only get a brief mention at the end of your comment? There are relatively few uses for an unmanned but full size aircraft. The advantage to using a drone is that it can often do the same task previously done by a large, manned aircraft but at a fraction of the cost and complexity due to its reduced size Imagine being able to send out ten drones to scour a mountain for lost climbers, and on the same day that they got lost (rather than waiting until tomorrow to make sure they really are lost and it really is worth spending thousands launching a single helicopter)
- asynchronous13 13y agoMostly because I'm more familiar with the larger versions. Physics really hurts the capabilities of the small platforms. There's just not enough energy in current batteries to carry useful sensors and fly long enough. Not trying to say they aren't useful, just that their applications are limited due to limited flight times.