The US Air Force Is Spending $996 Million On Drone Wingmen Because It Cannot Keep Its Fighter Pilots
The USAF faces a growing pilot shortage as airlines compete for aviators, but CCAs could help offset the widening gap.
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The United States Air Force (USAF) has long competed against the commercial industry to keep its pilots in uniform. Large commercial carriers offer generous pay, flexible schedules, and the ability for pilots to remain close to their families. This is especially true because military pilots can be called to deploy to the other side of the world at a moment's notice.
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About this article
- Length
- 61 words · 1 min read
- Published
- September 22, 2026
- Byline
- Christian P. Martin
- Source
- Simple Flying