Us Military To Take On China PLA with Autonomous Battle Robots: Will the Third World War be fought with the help of robots? It is reported that America has started preparing for war to respond to the growing power of China. America is making a strategy to fight this war with the help of robots. For this, America is preparing thousands of robot fighters. If the two countries really clash, then this will be the first war, which will be fought with the help of robots.
What did US Deputy Defense Secretary Kathleen Hicks say?
US Deputy Defense Secretary Kathleen Hicks recently announced in a speech that her country’s military plans to start using thousands of autonomous weapon systems over the next two years in view of China’s growing power. The US Replicator initiative aims to coordinate with defense and other technology companies to mass-produce affordable systems for all branches of the military.
Military systems capable of independent operation at various levels have become increasingly common over the past decade or so. But the US announcement makes it clear that the future of warfare has changed: the era of combat robots has arrived.
It’s time to turn the idea into reality
In the past decade, there has been a significant development of advanced robotic systems for military purposes. Many of these are based on modified commercial technology, which itself has become more capable, cheaper, and more widely available.
More recently, attention has shifted to experiments on how best to use them in combat. Russia’s war in Ukraine has shown that the technology is ready for real-world deployment.
Robotic aerial vehicles have been widely used to detect and attack armored vehicles and artillery. Ukrainian Navy attack drones have paralyzed Russia’s Black Sea Fleet, preventing its warships from leaving port. There used to be some thought about military robots, but now their time has come.
robots everywhere
In her speech, US Deputy Defense Secretary Hicks underlined the urgent need to change the way wars are fought. He announced that the new Replicator program will deploy hundreds of thousands of responsible autonomous systems across multiple domains within the next 18 to 24 months.
‘Autonomous’ refers to a robot that can carry out complex military operations without human intervention.
‘Attritable’ means that the robot is cheap enough to afford to risk losing it on a high-priority mission. Such a robot is not designed to be completely disposable, but it would be very economical. Therefore, these can be purchased in large numbers and war losses can be compensated.
‘Multiple domains’ refers to the deployment of robots on land, in the sea, in the air and in space. In short, robots can be deployed everywhere for all types of tasks.
robot mission
For the US military, Russia is a ‘serious threat’, but China is also an ‘ever-increasing challenge’ against which it has to strengthen its military capabilities.
China’s People’s Liberation Army has more people, more tanks, more ships, more missiles, etc. America may have better quality equipment, but China wins in terms of numbers.
The Replicator Program will now enable the rapid creation of thousands of ‘attributable autonomous systems’ that will help the United States win major future wars.
There is a possibility of tension turning into conflict due to China’s stance regarding Taiwan. In such a situation, robots can be decisive for America in thwarting any major Chinese attack.
Replicator is also looking forward, and aims to institutionalize mass production of robots for the long term.
a brave new world?
A major concern about autonomous systems is whether their use can be consistent with the laws of armed conflict?
Optimists argue that robots can be carefully programmed to follow rules because they can follow rules better than humans in the heat and confusion of a fight.
Pessimists object, saying that not all situations can be predicted and that robots may make mistakes in understanding and attacking, which should not happen. It is important.
Among earlier autonomous military systems, both the Phalanx close-in point defense gun and the Patriot surface-to-air missile performed poorly, resulting in losses.
a global change
The US may be the first country to deploy autonomous systems in large numbers, but others will be far behind. China cannot be underestimated, which has expertise in artificial intelligence and combat drone production.
Much of the technology for autonomous military drones has been developed for civilian purposes, so it is widely available and relatively inexpensive. Autonomous military systems are not only for superpowers, but soon many medium and small powers may also field them.
There are reports of autonomous weapon systems being deployed by Libya and Israel and some other countries. Turkish-made drones have proved vital in the Ukraine war. Australia is also deeply interested in the possibilities of autonomous weapons.
The Australian Defense Force is today building the MQ-28 Ghostbat autonomous fast jet air vehicle, armored vehicles with robotic systems, robotic logistics trucks and robotic submarines. He is using the Bluebottle robotic sailboat for maritime border surveillance in the Timor Sea.
An Australian company ‘SYPAQ’ is sending several of its cheap, cardboard drones to Ukraine.
(This article published in ‘The Conversation’ has been written by Peter Leighton, Griffith University and provided to us by PTI)