You need to command them from close by, because anything else will be jammed. It needs to be an integrated concept with manned fighters, AEW&C, strike, etc.
Yes but FCAS will take forever, repeating the mistakes of JSF by coupling everything in a giant program. The Chinese will have it by the end of the decade.
FCAS will be a combination of the F-35, Eurofighter and A-400M. I'd put money on at least 15 years of delay.
The Australians and Boeing have a fighter companion drone in the air already now. I didn#t follow that to closely, so. I also think that the manned component of FCAS, the fighter, might be ready earlier. And that fighter is everyting the French want from the program.
Boeing sees Loyal Wingman / ATS as a way to stay in the game when LM owns the only 5th gen western manned aircraft. The dual seat Super Hornet is a better control aircraft than the JSF and has a huge power budget. Boeing have also been careful with the ITAR aspects so they can sell it outside of primary US alliance countries. A system with Israeli or even Indian electronics is a possibility.
I presume the French just want to save their aerospace industry. Before Corona Airbus was looking really screwed, with 777/787 being much more efficient than the A380, but with 737 MAX fiasco and limited intercontinental flights the A320neo is looking good. But I digress.
