Quote Originally Posted by gaelic cowboy View Post
but they are CHEAP unlike the carrier, jets are the not same in reality they cost millions to run and train the pilots etc, UAV's could be ran autonomously with no need for anything but one fella and a flat field.
a) What makes you think they are cheap. If you look at current costs I doubt many would call them cheap but yeah sure they cost less than F22 and whatnot.

b) UAV's need maintenance like any other craft unless you want them to be used as single shot munitions. And if that is the thing then carriers would also need less crew and could have supply ships deliver more UAV's like they already are getting fuel and ammo.

c) The cheapness and low maintenance of your UAV's is another way of saying that airpower just got even better then before. Carriers now becomes even more important for global power projection.