Missions and capabilities, though we're discussing here, almost do not exist in the board rooms and offices of the high leadership. The only time they even mention those words, is when they need the wording to sell something. Like an advertising agency or political speech writer.
There are few leadership positions staffed with anyone who really is concerned about the person actually in the fight. They are more concerned about their ratings and future civilian employment with a defense contractor or think tank.
So, back to the thread topic. Pilots are leaving because they can't fly. There will be even more when they're flight status is eliminated as pay back for not playing the drone game. Which will lead to more drones, as they can be set on a programmed course to fly into a battle space, auto pilot, then manual control for actual missle strikes. Then there is the whole - designate a target and launch a drone to catch it and destroy it.
As much as us Army types want a smiling face behind the pilot mask above us, big money and technology is pushing, pulling, a new way. As the piloted fleet ages, they will use that as additional reasoning for more drones.
Again, you don't have to listen to a drone complain, worry about sexual assault, misconduct, profiles, rest, or retirement benefits. They're also easy to program onto targets of any selected enemy, foreign and domestic. Heck, just continue to use Chinese components and the domestic targets will be preprogrammed.
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