For decades the US military has been on the cutting edge of aerial warfare, especially when it comes to drones. Our military has thousands of UAVs which have become ubiquitous in every American war since 9/11. However, they’ve proven to be a mixed bag. They have certainly given our soldiers an edge on the battlefield, but they’ve also killed thousands of civilians, which in turn has motivated countless individuals to take up arms against us. Regardless, there’s no doubt that drones are here to stay, and will be a common sight on the battlefield well into the future.
But as our military continues to develop UAVs, our government’s rivals in Russia seem to have taken a different path when it comes to automated and remote control war machines. Their own military-industrial complex seems to have placed less emphasis on aerial drones, and more emphasis on land based drones. Last year a Russian company unveiled a remote control tank called the Uran-9, which at the time was expected to be sold on the international market.
Truth be told, Russia has been working on these sorts of weapons for a long time. At least as far back as 2014, Russia’s Defense Ministry was considering the deployment of mobile security robots to protect missile facilities. But in comparison, their latest land based drones are significantly more advanced. Recently the Kalashnikov Group (who are currently the largest arms manufacturer in Russia), produced an armed robot that isn’t just a remote controlled gun. Supposedly, it has artificial intelligence that can actually identify targets on its own. According to Defense One:
The maker of the famous AK-47 rifle is building “a range of products based on neural networks,” including a “fully automated combat module” that can identify and shoot at its targets. That’s what Kalashnikov spokeswoman Sofiya Ivanova told TASS, a Russian government information agency last week. It’s the latest illustration of how the U.S. and Russia differ as they develop artificial intelligence and robotics for warfare.
The Kalashnikov “combat module” will consist of a gun connected to a console that constantly crunches image data “to identify targets and make decisions,” Ivanova told TASS. A Kalashnikov photo that ran with the TASS piece showed a turret-mounted weapon that appeared to fire rounds of 25mm or so.
Kalashnikov did not respond to a request for comment before press time.
Another difference between the US military and the Russian military, is that the Russians have a different view on what role these machines should play on the battlefield. Unlike the US military, the Russians seem far more comfortable with the idea of drones that make their own decisions, and leave humans out of the loop.
Russia’s willingness to embrace lethal autonomy stands in stark contrast to U.S. policy. In 2012, then-Deputy Defense Secretary Ash Carter (later defense secretary) signed a directive forbidding the U.S. to allow any robot or machine to take lethal action without the supervision of a human operator.
In 2015, then-Deputy Defense Secretary Bob Work said fully automated killing machines were un-American. “I will make a hypothesis: that authoritarian regimes who believe people are weaknesses,” he said, “that they cannot be trusted, they will naturally gravitate toward totally automated solutions. Why do I know that? Because that is exactly the way the Soviets conceived of their reconnaissance strike complex. It was going to be completely automated. We believe that the advantage we have as we start this competition is our people.”
That sounds awfully noble, but it may not be strategically sound. We don’t know what the future holds, but it’s likely that drones which are run by humans will not be able to compete with drones that make their own decisions. Automated war machines won’t suffer from mental fatigue, won’t question orders, and they’ll be able to make decisions far faster than their human counterparts.
If that turns out to be true, then we can expect an arms race of fully automated drones between the world’s superpowers, and for better or for worse (probably worse) warfare will never be the same again.
The Russians are preparing for a offensive ground war in Eastern Europe and expect to field THOUSANDS if not TENS OF THOUSANDS of these land drones in advance of their tanks and troops as their army advances across the plains of Poland and Ukraine.
It makes perfect sense for them, especially if the Russian Air Force and missile defense can control the skies over Eastern Europe.
On the other hand, NATO forces are currently deploying a defensive model of war (Maginot Line) in Eastern Europe having already deployed to the Western Border of Russia, to protect the political territorial gains made with the collapse of the Soviet Union.
Thus NATO anticipates and prepares for a mobile war (counter-offensive) with rapidly moving combat lines in response to a Russian attack; particularly in the Baltic States, while expecting 5,000 Marines to sacrifice themselves during the initial, massive, Russian onslaught.
Russia has already anticipated using tactical nuclear weapons in advance or in combination with its attack on the West in its war games. 🙁
DK, uh, if they had the right amount of manpower it may be feasible, but last time I checked the Russians only list about 780,000 total military personnel. At the time of the USSR collapse, there were maybe 4-5,000,000 total personnel in all of the Soviet military combined. In the first half of the 90s, they made huge cuts to their defense budget and discharged a huge amount of personnel. Their only hope now would be tactical nukes. On the other hand, it’s possible that the 780,000 figure could be misleading.
Flipping these track type vehicles onto their tops into large holes or crushing them somehow, etc. will become very important because I don’t have any RPGs.
Menzo, I’m sure a bulldozer or backhoe can do wonders with it. If there’s some kind of opening, throw in a Molotov.
Hmmmm, how about tannerite and gelled gas???
Genius, sorry I forgot all about that. Another option, WOOHOO!
Yes, there is a “shortage” of Russian men but the Russian Army is much, much better than it was just ten or 15 years ago; and they are constantly training now instead of lying around the barracks shooting up drugs.
It’s a leaner, meaner, fighting machine now. Never underestimate your opponent. It can be fatal. 🙂
God fucking dammit doesn’t anyone get the fact that if you get into a conventional war between first world superpowers… and one starts LOSING… it’s global thermonuclear war?
What the hell is the point of these weapons platforms. Stave off the inevitable an extra 72 hours or some shit?
And “friendly” troops lives will depend upon a working IFF unit of some kind. Jam or spoof that signal, and they’re truly fucked.
Who ever said “Terminator” will never happen is an idiot and should be put up against one of these things
“Who ever said “Terminator” will never happen is an idiot”
I agree with that.
well, it’s GOT to be smarter than the average AMERICAN. the world HATES U.S., afterall…..and why WOULDN’T they?
Because if it wasn’t for us most of them would die off?
Gratitude is the least dependable of all human emotions.
It’s just like the Russians to come up with something like this. They’re one of the most treacherous groups of people in the world. At least with our drones they can’t do shit without an order being given by a human operator and there’s still a chance of preventing a drone from attacking innocent people. I hope there’s an opening where a Molotov can be placed inside it. If not, then it will take an artillery shell or bomb to stop it. The Russians may have made the electronics EMP-proof so forget about an EMP weapon.
TDB,
A small drone can easily attach a small shaped charge with a magnetic base on it to kill this thing.
The USAF has had for decades a tank killing gizmo the size of a #10 can. They push a skid of these out the back of a transport plane, they flutter to earth on small parachutes. As they come down they spin scanning the area for targets. They identify and prioritize targets by value. If they see a tank and a truck they will kill the tank etc. Any that land without seeing a target become land mines. This technology was quite inexpensive as well.
This tech was used in Gulf One when Iraq forces tried to run back to Iraq and the US destroyed the entire convoy. No reason it can’t also target smaller drone ground vehicles.
The solution against such a weapon may have to be looked for in a different direction. Why not thousands of bumblebee drones, squirting sticky black “ink” onto the optical sensors/cameras of those combat modules, thereby rendering them completely ineffective within seconds.
I can see this easily happen.
I hear tiny flying drones already exist.
You all know the Russians also got plenty of those German scientist at the end of WWII. The Russians know the USA faked the moon landing. They sent men up into the Van Allen radiation belts and killed them. They know it cant be done. Sophisticated gagets are not needed to win wars. Just neutron bombs. They kill all organic life and leave infrastructure intact. But winning wars is not the goal. The goal is to further agenda 21. Ruin goverments create refugees that invade and destroy other countries. Divide & conquer.
What’s the Russian word for “Terminator?” Tepmnhatop? Aw, those pesky Russians.
We have commando lawyers to drop on em. Sue em into submission! then we’ll give free phones,EBT cards,rent subsidies and they all get a trophy!
Behold! Witness Mankind’s greatest achievements! Let us marvel at all these wonders, (while we blunder as the Van Allen Belts safely keeps us under – as others in the verse applause with great thunder).
Putin isn’t that smart if he thinks he can compete with the US in an arms race, he’s forgetting the last time they tried that the USSR collapsed under the economic strain.
Hey guys, I am taking a brake from SHTF, not sure when I will be posting. I have been reading the comments on here from real preppers calling bullshit on me, saying that most of what I post in bullshit and lies. So I am disappearing for awhile. Brave and other serious hardcore preppers, you guys know who you are. Keep prepping, and keep stocking up on ammo, etc. Its coming. Will take to guys later. Reason is I have to agree with my scientist friend, I am wasting time posting on here, that they are not going to listen to me, that its just going to catch them all off guard, to let them learn. I have decided to just listen to what he says. I will tell you all something before I bail. There is a group in China that is preparing for a massive uprising, that will happen very soon, the regime will have a serious problem on their hands soon, watch and see how they handle it. The said group are Chinese constitutionalist, in other words, they model their belief on our US Constitution, this time they are armed to the teeth, and will respond to the military attacking them, Mr Xi has a problem on his hands that he will not be able to handle coming up here real soon.
HCKS.
HCKS
Just keep an eye on things and if you get the info post it.
Everyone has a right to an opinion. Right or Wrong.
after all we came here to help our Brother and Sister Prepperes. RIGHT?
Sgt.
I second that Sgt.
Be well HCKS
Hang in there HCKS. You are good in my book man.
What you need is to stay away from you scientist friends who are full of shit. And stay away from the fear porn authors like Jones, and everyone on “beforeitsnews”. Just become self sufficient, and all your preps will be there and in order. Until then, you are a rudderless boat lead by idiot winds. Good luck. sincerely.
HCKS, just keep your eyes and ears open. If you come across anything interesting, be sure to post it. I’m heading back to the BOL first week of August. Now would be a good time to get your BOL ready. Hope to hear from you soon.
Aw HICKs you made the promise to leave before. and you came right back. Do this read the Zeta Talk newsletter Friday and come back here on Saturday and tell us the tale! I really hope your NIBIRU event happens. That would be quite the adventure. Some folks could blame Trump. Some folks could blame the Democrap liberals. And the Bible thumpers could blame heathens like me.
HCKS,
Thanks for your input. Ignore all that crap from others. You are always welcome. Freedom of speech is just one of our rights and you have used it well.
Thanks for all your info.
If you have anything ultra-important, please post it.
Send in the millennials!
“It can’t be bargained with. It can’t be reasoned with. It doesn’t feel pity, or remorse, or fear. And it absolutely will not stop… ever, until you are dead!”
-Kyle Reese
Exactly.
Or, until it is stopped. Only way.
Machines are usually not hard to stop.
Robots or combat modules are just machines without a on/off switch. That’s all they are.
Now if you make the mistake of thinking they have ANY kind of emotion you are lost.
Fully automated combat module! I want one. Can I get it at Toys R Us?
I have been reading this site and its comments for a little over 2 months and I have to say I am a bit disappointed. Most of the comments are so negative about the author of the post or the content. What happened to helping each other be prepared and ready for what may happen? Seems like a lot of angry commenters who want the shtf. I don’t but am trying to get ready. I confess to being scared that it really is coming soon. How about some help comments instead of driving away people trying to tell you something.
I think its the boy who cried wolf syndrome. Many of us who have been here awhile are jaded with the same old recycled doom porn articles. The good thing about this site is Mac don’t censor comments. The only prep you actually need is Know How and self reliance. You can have tons of stuff and without know how its as worthless as tits on a boar hog. When It actually becomes a real SHTF without rule of law existence . Coping with The mental stress will be the most difficult problem. Many will simply lose the will to live. My advice is to start doing. learn to live on less and less. turn of the electric for a day. then turn off the water for a day. Unplug the refrigerator for a week. Just learn know how to cope without stuff. hiding in some location living miserably off of hoarded preps isn’t surviving that just enduring. Its something that might be necessary for a year. After the 90% die off and the hoarded stuff is all gone you must be skilled enough to obtain food and shelter or your just some homeless beggar. Don’t waste time giving doom porn free rent in your head. Get your mind wrapped around the task of being comfortable & able to be living (its a worst case result) A stone age existence.
Old Guy, agreed. Knowledge doesn’t weigh a damn thing and you can take it with you everywhere. It’s also essential to know how to use that knowledge.
Agree with old guy, we are somewhat jaded. But we help pass the info along. If you have info you want to share, please post it. There will always be those that disagree with others. Don’t get discouraged. Learn all you can and practice.
And finally, welcome to forum!
Mominator,
Lots of good stuff in the archives. Don’t just wait for the good nuggets to come along, there’s lots of good stuff on file already ripe for the picking!
I never thought of trying to look for archives. Thanks for the tip, ptpo!
Oh BTW… I don’t see any archives on this site, only sponsored ads and links to other sites. Were you talking about using the search function on older threads?
Yep, the search function. Lots of info in the articles, and the comments.
What is it about human beings that they cannot exist together peacefully? It does not make any common sense.
Personalities. Ideals. Character. Scuples. Morality. The list continues.
There is a right way and a wrong way. There are right priorities and wrong ones. Half the people want the wrong way. They are genetically and spiritually degenerate and let the worst scum rule them. Also the male/female ratio is wrong. Degenerate males need to be castrated before puberty.
In art, people have been taught to deconstruct an image. The basic outlines of people, places, and things can be built of circles, squares, and triangles, aligned by a fixed reference point, in the horizon.
Can you arrange them, in a way, which looks menacing.
The machine is incapable of making these judgments, without a standardized means of identification. It has to be given a simple rule, as to what is a threat.
“warfare will never be the same again.’
It’s tools used to be made of substantial parts.
The newer generation, to the best of my understanding, originated from failed space missions, in which they had decided to use more-numerous, cheaper, and disposable probes. It is sacrificial and designed for obsolescence.
Einstein is attributed to have said that WW4 would be fought with sticks and stones. John of Patmos said, wooden weapons and the horse. This is not monument building, but de-industrialization.
They expect it to last, for a calculable, determinate period of time, as on an actuarial table.
“Fully automated combat module”. So it would kill innocent people without question? There has to be some kind of weaknesses, flaws, etc. to such a device. Powered by artificial intelligence? I still say that AI crap is doomed to failure. All machines can be challenged and defeated. You have to learn what kind of weaknesses they have and figure out a way to exploit those weaknesses.
has anyone thought about how these things would be powered and resupplied and refueled? I don’t see them being more than a well armed guard dog. high weight means low mileage. armor, ammunition, missiles machine-guns are heavy. how effective can they be when they can only move forward half as far as the fuel will last. if they use all the onboard ammunition on the way out, they are defenseless on the way back.
Any military unit requires logistics. Just because it is self autonomous doesn’t mean it has infinite resources. It is just like a manned military unit. The other equation of the question should be, will it retain a portion of its ammo for self defense for the trip back for resupply.
Little Fish, welcome, and I think you just answered the $64000 question. I knew there were some weaknesses somewhere.
A simple turtle trap will put an end to this thing. No robot will ever be able to defeat human beings!
Nothing last forever! Everything is vulnerable.
If you take a ’55 Chevy and put in a high-compression, fuel-injected engine with electronic controls and new all-glass instrumentation with a heads-up display, you have…a ’55 Chevy with bells and whistles. It still needs fuel and it can still be put out of commission by a flat tire. Same with this thing. It’s a tank and is vulnerable to the one thing that a tank cannot overcome and that is a damaged tread. Blow off a tread and you have a pile of expensive, heavy junk.