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Old 17th Nov 2013, 13:00
  #54 (permalink)  
Evalu8ter
 
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Zummerset
Posts: 1,042
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HS,
An interesting point; so, if the same family were mis-ID'd using the same sensor from a high flying, unnoticed MANNED platform (for example, a B2...) it would be OK would it? Mistakes will always be made in warfare, particularly this current 'low contrast' conflict where our opponents use this very reticence to hit innocents as a fundamental survival tactic.

If we extend the hypothesis to fully-autonomous weapon systems I agree the thought is a little spine chilling, but that is a long way off. Perhaps the 'middle ground' will be a 'smart' UAV that is RP'd to a release point to permit a LPI penetration of a sophisticated IADS to either conduct recce or strike a precision target autonomously, then recover the link for RTB. Considering the potential LO and performance benefits of having such an unmanned system it will be very attractive to politicians not to have to commit aircrew. Some would argue that it's been done for years (D-21 Tagboard for example...).

Would you rather we still went to war armed with chivalry and silk scarves? War is a nasty business - once committed it should be waged in a manner to end it as soon as possible. Mistakes will ALWAYS be made, Man-in-the -Loop or not.
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