And why do you think they would be remote controlled?
If you put a smart enough brain inside it, you could just upload a copy of the crew (assuming you can digitize and run human minds, of course, something that seems easier than interstellar travel). This way, the ship would not be limited by its crew. The crews responses would also only be limited by available processing speed. And, instead of lifeboats, you could transmit the crew states. In fact, you could do that regularly across the fleet for synchronization and backup purposes.
And, from the inside, it could look exactly like a Constitution class federation starship. People younger than me would prefer a Galaxy class. I, myself, am in doubt between the Constitution and the Heart of Gold. Or a big bridge like the original Battlestar Galactica. The computer could easily generate a lot of red-shirts for added drama during battles.
"Unmanned" can mean many things, but considering the OP's quote "when we're already flying unmanned vehicles on earth", he clearly meant remote control.
If you put a smart enough brain inside it, you could just upload a copy of the crew (assuming you can digitize and run human minds, of course, something that seems easier than interstellar travel). This way, the ship would not be limited by its crew. The crews responses would also only be limited by available processing speed. And, instead of lifeboats, you could transmit the crew states. In fact, you could do that regularly across the fleet for synchronization and backup purposes.
And, from the inside, it could look exactly like a Constitution class federation starship. People younger than me would prefer a Galaxy class. I, myself, am in doubt between the Constitution and the Heart of Gold. Or a big bridge like the original Battlestar Galactica. The computer could easily generate a lot of red-shirts for added drama during battles.