I For One Welcome…

…Our robotic fighter pilot overlords

August 3, 2011: The U.S. Navy recently conducted a successful test of the X-47B UCAV (unmanned combat air vehicle) landing software. An F-18D used the software to make a completely automated landing on a carrier. The two pilots in the F-18 did not touch the controls, and were there in case something went wrong with the software. The navy plans to have an X-47B make a carrier landing within two years.

…Many UAV engineers, and some fighter pilots, believe that combat UAVs could revolutionize air warfare. Combat UAVs can perform maneuvers that a manned aircraft cannot (because there are limits to the g-forces a human body can tolerate.) In theory, software and sensors would make a combat UAV much quicker to sort out a combat situation, and make the right move. For the moment, this aspect of UAV development is officially off the table. But once combat UAVs start operating, and that will be by the end of the decade, there will be much pressure to let combat UAVs rule the skies, in addition to scouting and bombing. The senior Pentagon leadership have seen this future, and believe it is the real one. Many European, and Indian, aviation commanders agree.

Scary stuff and worthy of much thought and discussion.

5 Responses to “I For One Welcome…”

1. MikeT says:

   August 4, 2011 at 8:18 am

   Yep. I put this on FB. It is amazing the time we are entering….the coming robot revolution…may it be swift…and arrive BEFORE the zombie apocalypse, I think we will be fine

2. Gary from Jersey says:

   August 4, 2011 at 8:42 am

   Sayonara, USAF.

3. Gary from Jersey says:

   August 4, 2011 at 8:43 am

   I forgot to add, “And screw you, techies.”

4. major dad says:

   August 4, 2011 at 8:45 am

   UCAVs are not autonomous…yet.

5. JeffS says:

   August 4, 2011 at 9:02 am

   Skynet is born!

   Gary, don’t forget the brass who prefer computers over humans.