Look at the Battle of Midway as an example. Two air fleets attacking opposing ship fleets well out of visual range of each other.
Is this the future of drone warfare? Two sides attacking each other with no ground forces engaged or even with close proximity?
Underground bunkers utilized as air combat HQ with hundreds of drone pilot operators safe in a secure area. Film reference would be the finale of Guardians of the Galaxy 2.
Another worst-case scenario. An aggressor force decides to attack the US in a coordinated campaign from the two seaboards and the Gulf. They use large cargo container ships. The containers are carrying the drones inside. The crew have modified containers that act as launch mechanisms for the drones. When the drone launches, the container is pushed off the ship. Each cargo ship can launch thousands of drones with ordnance. Dozens of cargo ships can be 50 miles offshore in international waters. Drones can be slaved to a guide drone operated by a single drone pilot. Several dozen drone pilots are needed in each cargo ship hold controlling and directing the drone fleets.
Radar picks up the cloud of drone. Jets are scrambled. Defending drones are launched. SAM sites go active. Air raid sirens sound alarm.
Any attacking force willing to die to achieve their goals. That's an enemy you don't want.
This sounds farfetched but it could actually happen in the near future. Motivation, capability and willingness to die for the cause are the ingedients for a disaster.
