Drone Adoption Favors Quantity over Quality in Warfare
The global military adoption of drones lags behind their development. Early adopters like Israel and Turkey fully integrate drones, while others limit them to niche roles due to institutional conservatism. Recent battlefield successes signal a shift towards wider adoption, expecting drones to become prevalent in major and minor powers' inventories, emphasizing quantity over quality in warfare.
Read original article
The development of drones has outpaced their adoption by militaries globally, with only a few early adopters like Israel and Turkey fully integrating them into their forces. Despite their potential, most modern militaries have limited drones to niche roles due to institutional conservatism. Recent battlefield successes in Syria, Libya, Nagorno-Karabakh, and Ukraine have showcased the effectiveness of drones in combat, signaling a shift towards wider adoption. Drones of various sizes and capabilities, from surveillance drones to unmanned combat aerial vehicles, are expected to become prevalent in the inventories of major and minor powers. This trend suggests that the 2020s will witness a significant transition towards leveraging drones for military operations, emphasizing quantity over quality in warfare.
Related
Merlin Labs aims to test an AI-powered KC-135 within a year
Two startups, Merlin Labs and EpiSci, collaborate to develop self-flying tankers and advanced AI for dogfighting. They aim to create AI pilots to reduce human pilot dependency in Air Force missions.
Ukrainian units want more sneaky battlefield e-scooters
Ukrainian soldiers request more e-scooters from Latvian firm Mosphera for stealth missions. Positive feedback prompts two army units and a charity to seek additional units. Latvian government reviewing request.
Rheinmetall and Anduril join forces to develop C-sUAS system
Rheinmetall and Anduril partner to develop advanced C-sUAS defense systems for European markets. The collaboration combines Rheinmetall's command system with Anduril's hardware for a versatile and effective solution against evolving drone threats.
Manta Ray Underwater Drone Looks Like a Docked Star Wars Spaceship
The Manta Ray underwater drone, developed by Northrop Grumman for DARPA, features a 45-foot wingspan and 33-foot length. Its glider design enables efficient propulsion and long-range capabilities. The drone's modular construction allows for easy transport and assembly, with potential missions including intelligence gathering and mine-hunting. DARPA and the U.S. Navy are considering further testing and development for extended naval missions in the Pacific region.
Why American tech companies need to help build AI weaponry
U.S. tech companies play a crucial role in AI weaponry development for future warfare. Authors stress military supremacy, ethical considerations, and urge societal debate on military force and AI weaponry. Tech industry faces resistance over military projects.
4 commentsI’d imagine a lot more empirical evidence has been generated one way or the other in the intervening two years
This post is for paid subscribers
Related
Merlin Labs aims to test an AI-powered KC-135 within a year
Two startups, Merlin Labs and EpiSci, collaborate to develop self-flying tankers and advanced AI for dogfighting. They aim to create AI pilots to reduce human pilot dependency in Air Force missions.
Ukrainian units want more sneaky battlefield e-scooters
Ukrainian soldiers request more e-scooters from Latvian firm Mosphera for stealth missions. Positive feedback prompts two army units and a charity to seek additional units. Latvian government reviewing request.
Rheinmetall and Anduril join forces to develop C-sUAS system
Rheinmetall and Anduril partner to develop advanced C-sUAS defense systems for European markets. The collaboration combines Rheinmetall's command system with Anduril's hardware for a versatile and effective solution against evolving drone threats.
Manta Ray Underwater Drone Looks Like a Docked Star Wars Spaceship
The Manta Ray underwater drone, developed by Northrop Grumman for DARPA, features a 45-foot wingspan and 33-foot length. Its glider design enables efficient propulsion and long-range capabilities. The drone's modular construction allows for easy transport and assembly, with potential missions including intelligence gathering and mine-hunting. DARPA and the U.S. Navy are considering further testing and development for extended naval missions in the Pacific region.
Why American tech companies need to help build AI weaponry
U.S. tech companies play a crucial role in AI weaponry development for future warfare. Authors stress military supremacy, ethical considerations, and urge societal debate on military force and AI weaponry. Tech industry faces resistance over military projects.