Fighter-aircraft evolution operates at the level of the plane, not the pilot

Evidence

Aerial dogfights during WWI had many parallels with duels between knights of the Middle Ages. Pilots decorated their planes with unique and colorful markings visible to other pilots in the air—being recognized as an individual was more important to them than simply being affiliated with a squadron or a side—and they kept meticulous tallies of not just how many planes they shot down, but whom they shot down. Finally, victory in the air translated into societal recognition and fame. But the quality of the weapons—the planes—was unconnected with reproduction. Planes were purchased by governments, not individual pilots. The type or model of plane signaled little about individual wealth or family status, and nothing about society at the time prevented poor-quality pilots from marrying and reproducing. Here, the units that mattered were the planes themselves. Models more maneuverable than other models, or models that could turn faster or climb higher or simply overtake other planes, got manufactured in greater numbers than older, slower, or clunkier models, and the population of planes got sucked into a race as each side strived to develop planes that could outperform those of the other. Perhaps the most telling evidence that fighter aircraft evolution is unfolding at the level of the plane rather than the pilot is the fact that the newest planes don’t even have pilots. Pilots were instrumental in creating the conditions that started this race, but the aircraft arms race appears to be proceeding full tilt without them. — Emlen, Douglas J, Animal Weapons_ The Evolution of Battle, 913

Categorization

• XREF: Connects directly to Dawkins’ replicator/vehicle distinction and Pinker’s notion that technology evolution can proceed independently of its creators — evolutionary units need not be organisms. — connects to: Aircraft arms races evolve at the level of machines, not their pilots
• SEED: An essay angle: how human technologies become self-replicating selectable units once the conditions are set, with drones as the endpoint where the originator is fully ejected from the race.

Related

• Aircraft arms races evolve at the level of machines, not their pilots (similarity 0.94)
• Aircraft arms races favored speed and maneuverability over size (similarity 0.79)
• Aerial arms races favor speed and agility over sheer size (similarity 0.78)