content: @humourousone // The F35 vs the F16D is more of a dog-fight test. If we deploy the JSF against crap states (like Syria), they would likely have F16 equivalents, hence the test is something of a firebrand for bloated as shit DOD projects. On the bright side, you are correct -- DOD / DARPA is moving towards BLOS (beyond line of sight) acquisition and neutralization; however, that doesn't necessarily mean mangling with military machinery (something UAVs and LAWs - lethal autonomous weapons) can do far easier than manned machines. Just look at how hackers can cripple civilian infrastructure and cause a large amount of headaches.