Boeing Unveils Phantom Ray, an Autonomous, Unmanned Stealth Fighter

[gambit]

Awesome stuff indeed , its a great development.

Thomas this UCAV has not air to air capability then why it is being called a "fighter" ?

The article said 'fighter-size'. The trend: to deliver the maximum load from as small a vehicle as possible. But this will not replace bombers as large payload delivery is still the best way to have large area destruction. One possible scenario is to have some of these UCAVs on a 'high probability of failure' target, like enemy headquarter, to deliver a crippling strike to the command center. Then use B-52s and B-1s against enemy front lines.

Even as an 'Air Force guy' I have no problem saying that the goal of the air force is always to support ground objectives. But the difference is that only a distinct air service can support said ground objectives at the strategic level, like enemy infrastructures that will hamper his war waging capability. Army Aviation or Marine Air are more short term battlefield tactical support.