I imagine an AI pilot always has a path to victory since they aren't subject to red/black-out and can thus pull crazier maneuver than their human counterparts.
Very stealthy (no bucket/glass where the pilot has to sit). Huge amounts of lift available for high G maneuvers. Infinite air-time given a re-supply tanker is in the area.
I know the train of thought. Once I spent hour thinking of "design dirt" that sticks to machine parts and protects them from real dirt and oxidation. Then it occurred to me that it's called "paint".