F/A-18 Survival Kit Review with Top Gun Instructor Jack Stewart | Mike Drop #168 Clip

About this video

Former Top Gun instructor Jack Stewart describes the F/A-18 survival kit and equipment carried by Navy pilots. Stewart explains that the seat pan contains water survival gear while pilots wear survival vests with radios, flares, knives, and can carry about 10 pounds of personal equipment. He also discusses his views on future drone warfare, arguing that removing the human element from combat makes war an easier decision, though he sees potential for unmanned wingmen as support aircraft.

Key takeaways

• Stewart explains that F/A-18 pilots are issued basic survival gear including a raft, emergency oxygen, radio, flares, knife, and compass, plus about 10 pounds of personal equipment, and in combat they carry a Sig P226 pistol, spare magazines, evasion charts, and ‘blood chits’ offering rewards for rescue
• Stewart argues that fully autonomous combat drones are problematic because removing human risk from warfare makes military action an easier decision for leaders, reducing the deterrent effect of war
• Stewart suggests unmanned wingmen drones could be useful as sacrificial support aircraft that carry extra missiles, serve as decoys, or provide fuel to manned fighters while keeping a human in the decision-making loop

Episode details: published January 2, 2024 · 4.6K views · 7:42 long. Summary written by Self Growth Videos from the episode itself. Stories told by Mike Ritland’s podcast guests are the guests’ own accounts, attributed to them — not independently verified. Commentary is Ritland’s, presented as his analysis.

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