Jet pigeon

F-35 shown obsolete on previous posts

   One of the dangers of modern militaries is the loss of communications satellites, they are easily destroyed because their paths are predictable.  A possible back-up is to build a drone with a range of 12 000 miles, 24 000 miles being the circumference of the globe.  It would be able to fly to the host country like a homing pigeon from any point on the globe.
   In appearance it would be similar to a U-2, but unmanned and smaller.  It would have data storage on board for all routine but non time critical military information.  It would have a cruising speed of 500 mph at an altitude of 60 000 feet.  It would be lifted and recovered by manned planes, which would save the weight of landing gear and allow the wings to be designed exclusively for cruising flight.  It would be flown to 40 000 feet and released.  It might take it 24 hours toreach its home base, but it would free up radio circuits for critical work.
   A 50% fuel fraction should be achievable.  For 24 hours, that would be 2% per hour.  If the engine burns 1 lb of fuel for each pound of thrust, specific fuel consumption of 1.0, which should be achievable, it would need a weight to thrust of 38 to 1, average weight is 1/2 of 100% + 50% = 75% divided by 2%.  Powered gliders can achieve 50 to 1, unpowered gliders, 75 : 1.