[sperry]

I wasn't suggesting that a robot-only supply convoy would be a good idea. I was suggesting that robot drivers for the *supply trucks* would be cost effective and take people out of the line of fire. The convoy would still have to be protected by capable people, since I feel we're a *long* way away from AI that could handle the job.

As far as the cost of developing the robot drivers... well, that's what programs like this DARPA challenger are all about. By having civillians compete for prize money, the government is effectively running tens of research programs for the fixed cost of the prize money. Development isn't cheap, but once the system is designed, it will be *far* cheaper than soldiers.

Back to the autonomous aircraft... we're still a long way away from a useful robot fighter aircraft. Sure we've got the hardware, but the software is the key obstacle to overcome. AI is an intensely difficult thing to program, and even harder to test. We'll have remotely piloted aircraft for a long time before we have AI piloted aircraft that can match 'em. Like I said, we've basically gotten to the point of being able to have a robot that can follow a map. Add obstacle avoidance, and you've got what you need for that robot supply truck, but you're nowhere near something that can out-fight a human pilot.