[planteen]

> Range and airspace issues notwithstanding

Those are precisely the reasons satellites will remain relevant. Satellites are the reason the SR-71 fell out of service. Russia can and will shoot down US aircraft or drones in their airspace.

[hyperbovine]

SR-71 is about as far from a drone as you can possibly get. Politicians are going to (pretend to) care a lot less about airspace sovereignty when violating someone else's airspace does not involve risking pilots' lives. Range and stealth are only going to increase. This is why I said the future looks bleak.