Realism: High. Optical zoom capabilities of this range were certainly available for reconnaissance purposes in 1978. The challenge would be integrating such a system into a drone, providing stabilization, and reliably transmitting high-quality imagery back to a ground station over long distances.
1000 hp engine (approx. 745.7 kW):
Realism: High. A 1000 hp engine (likely a turboprop or small turbofan given the drone's appearance and performance) is a very plausible power output for a drone designed for long endurance and high altitude in 1978.
Cost: $700,000 unarmed, $100,000 armed:
Realism: Moderate to High (for unarmed); Low (for armed delta).
An unarmed cost of $700,000 (in 1978 dollars) for such an advanced, high-performance military drone is plausible. Research and development costs for cutting-edge technology are always high.
However, the additional cost of $100,000 for "armed" (meaning adding two ATGMs, targeting systems, and launchers) seems unrealistically low. The missiles themselves would be costly, let alone the integration and specialized avionics. If "100,000 armed" means the total cost when armed, it would be extremely unrealistic.
Producing starting 1958 (implies 1978 for assessment):
Realism: Low (for widespread production). The very concept and design (reminiscent of the Predator) of such a sophisticated, multi-role UAV being mass-produced and operationally deployed in 1978 would be exceptionally premature. Drones of the 1970s were generally simpler, often used for reconnaissance or as targets, and lacked the combined high-altitude, long-endurance, and precision strike capabilities seen here.
Conclusion
If this drone, with its specified features, were to exist and enter production in 1978, it would represent a highly ambitious and groundbreaking technological leap forward, effectively being several decades ahead of its time.
Overall Realism: Moderate to Low. While individual components (engine, camera, range) were feasible, the system integration of high-altitude flight, long endurance, precision remote control/autonomy, and sophisticated armed capability into a reliable, operational unmanned platform of this design would have been extraordinarily challenging and largely beyond the mainstream capabilities of 1978. It would likely be a cutting-edge, experimental prototype rather than a widely "produced" asset.
It's a fantastic concept for a game, as it pushes the boundarie
Gemini's response when i asked for its realism. But i put it as "20 years ahead", so he talks about 1978 instead of 1958.
Based on the details provided for this drone, let's assess its realism if it were to be "20 years ahead" of 1958, meaning it began production in 1978.
The drone's design strongly resembles the General Atomics MQ-1 Predator, which didn't enter service until the mid-1990s. Therefore, its mere existence with these capabilities in 1978 would already represent a significant technological leap.
Here's a breakdown of the realism for each specified detail in the context of 1978 drone technology:
Realism Assessment for a Drone from 1978
* 2 'Inferno' ATGM-5 missiles:
* Realism: Moderate to Low. While Anti-Tank Guided Missiles (ATGMs) like the TOW and HOT were in service by 1978, their integration onto an operational unmanned platform for precision attack was still highly experimental. Armed drones were not yet commonplace, and precise targeting and guidance from an unmanned aerial system were very cutting-edge. The concept existed, but widespread, reliable operational deployment was still decades away.
* 150 miles of range (approx. 241 km):
* Realism: High. A combat radius or operational range of 150 miles for a drone in 1978 is quite plausible, especially for reconnaissance or strike missions originating relatively close to the target area.
* Loitering time of 5 hours:
* Realism: Moderate to High. Achieving a 5-hour endurance for an unmanned aircraft in 1978 would have been a significant engineering feat. It would require highly fuel-efficient engines and efficient aerodynamic design. While challenging, it's not entirely unrealistic for a purpose-built reconnaissance drone.
* Cruising altitude: 49,000 ft (approx. 14,935 m):
* Realism: Moderate to Low. This is a very high altitude for an unmanned vehicle in 1978. Manned reconnaissance aircraft (like the U-2) operated at higher altitudes, but for an autonomous or remotely controlled drone capable of carrying a payload and maintaining stable flight for hours, this was pushing the boundaries of available propulsion, navigation, and flight control technology. Maintaining precise altitude and stability at this height was difficult.
* Camera zoom 1x-20x:
* Realism: High. Optical zoom capabilities of this range were certainly available for reconnaissance purposes in 1978. The challenge would be integrating such a system into a drone, providing stabilization, and reliably transm
@BOSKnight i am not talking about what his weapons are or the capacity. But the ability to control vehicle from that far requires engineering capacities that are just way, WAY too ahead, even with 20 years of advance. Divide by 2 the loitering time and it is already more realistic, and for ranges, it can't got past 300km as no modern tech are available to us rn. Except if you announce developping new long range control tech. But will need weeks IRL to end up finding what it needs. Anyways. I won't question it anymore, when it goes beyond realism, i can't catch up...
@B1BLancer well, Voodoo like, it could act like any jets from any country to train your pilots to intercept with better precision.
.
You have -7% from 150 units bought.
The probability to have this fly safely over 5 minutes is about 3% without a doubt...
Reliability being way too low for it to fly. I wouldn't even let my worst enemy goes below its path...
@BOSKnight he also said it was realistic for a turboprop, 1000hp
@BOSKnight and the camera is said to be highly realistic. I said nthg about it.
Conclusion
If this drone, with its specified features, were to exist and enter production in 1978, it would represent a highly ambitious and groundbreaking technological leap forward, effectively being several decades ahead of its time.
It's a fantastic concept for a game, as it pushes the boundarie
Gemini's response when i asked for its realism. But i put it as "20 years ahead", so he talks about 1978 instead of 1958.
Based on the details provided for this drone, let's assess its realism if it were to be "20 years ahead" of 1958, meaning it began production in 1978.
The drone's design strongly resembles the General Atomics MQ-1 Predator, which didn't enter service until the mid-1990s. Therefore, its mere existence with these capabilities in 1978 would already represent a significant technological leap.
Here's a breakdown of the realism for each specified detail in the context of 1978 drone technology:
Realism Assessment for a Drone from 1978
* 2 'Inferno' ATGM-5 missiles:
* Realism: Moderate to Low. While Anti-Tank Guided Missiles (ATGMs) like the TOW and HOT were in service by 1978, their integration onto an operational unmanned platform for precision attack was still highly experimental. Armed drones were not yet commonplace, and precise targeting and guidance from an unmanned aerial system were very cutting-edge. The concept existed, but widespread, reliable operational deployment was still decades away.
* 150 miles of range (approx. 241 km):
* Realism: High. A combat radius or operational range of 150 miles for a drone in 1978 is quite plausible, especially for reconnaissance or strike missions originating relatively close to the target area.
* Loitering time of 5 hours:
* Realism: Moderate to High. Achieving a 5-hour endurance for an unmanned aircraft in 1978 would have been a significant engineering feat. It would require highly fuel-efficient engines and efficient aerodynamic design. While challenging, it's not entirely unrealistic for a purpose-built reconnaissance drone.
* Cruising altitude: 49,000 ft (approx. 14,935 m):
* Realism: Moderate to Low. This is a very high altitude for an unmanned vehicle in 1978. Manned reconnaissance aircraft (like the U-2) operated at higher altitudes, but for an autonomous or remotely controlled drone capable of carrying a payload and maintaining stable flight for hours, this was pushing the boundaries of available propulsion, navigation, and flight control technology. Maintaining precise altitude and stability at this height was difficult.
* Camera zoom 1x-20x:
* Realism: High. Optical zoom capabilities of this range were certainly available for reconnaissance purposes in 1978. The challenge would be integrating such a system into a drone, providing stabilization, and reliably transm
publishing
@BOSKnight and MQ-9 Reaper (modern drone exactly like this one) got no more than 50 000ft max reachable altitude
@BOSKnight i am not talking about what his weapons are or the capacity. But the ability to control vehicle from that far requires engineering capacities that are just way, WAY too ahead, even with 20 years of advance. Divide by 2 the loitering time and it is already more realistic, and for ranges, it can't got past 300km as no modern tech are available to us rn. Except if you announce developping new long range control tech. But will need weeks IRL to end up finding what it needs. Anyways. I won't question it anymore, when it goes beyond realism, i can't catch up...
@BOSKnight where? What?
And we won't talk about max altitude...
Even modern pure surveillance drone struggle doing a 24h loitering...
@Hahahahaahahshs i reached 870kph (540mph) at 9650m altitude, going Strait... wasn't that enough?
@BOSKnight wdym?
@B1BLancer well, Voodoo like, it could act like any jets from any country to train your pilots to intercept with better precision.
.
You have -7% from 150 units bought.
Umbra Defense:
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@SPWithLizzie uh? Idts... more like the plane's original shape reference. Stands for
Fast Aerial Target
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No-See Jerry:
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Kingdom of Pole-Land:
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And i won't even talk abt the gears 💀
The probability to have this fly safely over 5 minutes is about 3% without a doubt...
Reliability being way too low for it to fly. I wouldn't even let my worst enemy goes below its path...
@B1BLancer "So the rifle isn't that detailed"... stop insulting me ;-;
(Ik you don't mean to, but yk...)
@BOSKnight oh... well. Good luck.
@BOSKnight don't worry, i have among the best researchers and engineers. I might end up getting a great thing by the end of 1954.
Socket Onion:
@DeeganWithABazooka
No-See Jerry:
@RB107
Kingdom of Pole-Land:
@BigHeadEngineering
Unity Ding-Dong:
@DeutschFELLA
Republic of For-Rants:
@keiyronelleavgeek566
Republic of Kinda:
@aMosquito
Empire of Celestia:
@LunarEclipseSP
No-See Jerry Head of Defense:
@RepublicofWrightIsles
Republic of Next-In-Co:
@Aeromax
Unity Steaks:
@Bugati87
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@Technicalstrat
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The hell is that monstruous ammount of details??? 🤯
@NTH '-' no me fur sur
@Supersoli8 hmm...i see... alr
@BOSKnight if you got it, it means you deserve it. Congrats!
@RepublicofWrightIsles 🫠
Be the one if it have to be told, idiot
I'll put it in fav so i play the robl game again
@SPWithLizzie i'll call him that
Srry for the ULQ, it doesn't even shows the trigger
Socket Onion:
@DeeganWithABazooka
No-See Jerry:
@RB107
Kingdom of Pole-Land:
@BigHeadEngineering
Unity Ding-Dong:
@DeutschFELLA
Republic of For-Rants:
@keiyronelleavgeek566
Republic of Kinda:
@aMosquito
Empire of Celestia:
@LunarEclipseSP
No-See Jerry Head of Defense:
@RepublicofWrightIsles
Republic of Next-In-Co:
@Aeromax
Unity Steaks:
@Bugati87
Empire of Your-Pan:
@Technicalstrat
Kingdom of Bell-Lands:
@SPWithLizzie
Republic of Nether-Jim
@AviationLoverGEEK444
Republic of Swisher-Man
@Voytek
IRoS
@B1BLancer
@Hahahahaahahshs
@BOSKnight no, the irl F-35.
@BOSKnight idts. Like the F-35 full capacities and secrets aren't fully given to allies, even to those who bought it.
@BOSKnight you know it should all be confidential initially? 😂
@BOSKnight my bomber have a service ceilling of 44,790ft (13,652m)