Imagine how many of those CAP could put out during a mission for the cost of one C172.
It'll still be both for a long time. If the pilot was VFR and no flight plan and no flight following, but the spouse knew the pilot was 'suppose to be flying to a city 400 miles away" .... its going to be manned planes flying that route at the start. If they can narrow it down to a much smaller area of high probability ... THEN bring in the small drones.
Yes, if CAP ever gets anything like a Predator, then the whole mission could be flown with 'a real drone'. But lets not hold our breath for that one. LOL