Greetings escapists. I was just wondering what is the general consensus around here on utilizing drones in combat (aerial or otherwise)? Lately there has been a big push in the United States Air Force to replace traditional aircraft with Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicles (UCAVs). Their main argument is that removing the pilot from the aircraft nullifies the risk of losing a servicemember, having to mount a costly combat search and rescue operation, and/or spend money training a new flight officer.
This principal has also been looked into by the Navy. With Nuclear Reactors not needing to be refueled, a ship's endurance is only limited by her crew. An unmanned submarine can loiter anywhere in the world, virtually indefinitely, until it is called for. And the Army would like nothing better than to put robots into a combat zone rather than risk losing soldiers.
Of course, this has been met with opposition. Pilots argue that an AI can never replace a trained human being's instincts and judgment. Terminator fans argue that we're handing the world's largest military to sky-net. Still others argue that it will lead to countries hurling waves of expendable bots at each other over issues which war wouldn't even be considered today. So what do you guys think?
This principal has also been looked into by the Navy. With Nuclear Reactors not needing to be refueled, a ship's endurance is only limited by her crew. An unmanned submarine can loiter anywhere in the world, virtually indefinitely, until it is called for. And the Army would like nothing better than to put robots into a combat zone rather than risk losing soldiers.
Of course, this has been met with opposition. Pilots argue that an AI can never replace a trained human being's instincts and judgment. Terminator fans argue that we're handing the world's largest military to sky-net. Still others argue that it will lead to countries hurling waves of expendable bots at each other over issues which war wouldn't even be considered today. So what do you guys think?
