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One of the key things computers are better at is taking large amounts of information, processing it, and coming to accurate conclusions. An article from War On the Rocks about swarms, drones, and the future of warfare (linked below) got me thinking--the author focuses on drones doing all the fighting with humans in control centers, each person controlling swarms of drones, while I thought of computer decision making augmenting human soldiers in combat. Would interconnected devices spread across drones and individual soldiers with a distributed computing algorithm be better at coordinating soldiers than humans are? I'm thinking of things like a series of sound sensors on each soldier picking up on gunfire and determining where the good guys and bad guys are based off the sounds, plus tracking when magazines are being changed by whom, how much combat power each side has, and then automatically coordinating teams to win the fight? Could the platoon, company and even battalion become obsolete as computers provide better guidance for operations and logistics?
http://warontherocks.com/2015/02/between-a-roomba-and-a-terminator-what-is-autonomy/
http://warontherocks.com/2015/02/between-a-roomba-and-a-terminator-what-is-autonomy/
Drones
Computers
Future
Leadership
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 11
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Seriously? Did you see Alien? Or (late add) 2001 Space Odyssey and the HAL 9000? I think the human dimension leaders (you) bring are what makes us different from other countries and machines. I can't imagine an Army or weapon without a "man in the loop" but I am also now retired...
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SGT Guillermo Vega
Everything has its place. As we know by now computers lack all the functions a human i capable of, so keep them in place by supporting decisions, no making them. Let humans control automated systems, not be control by them. Otherwise, why would anyone fight for Capitalism if one prefers a command based society. The military has its place, computers too. Besides, algorithms belong under methods, strategy, and humans, not the other way around. I would not even like to salute a computer anyways :-) In a perfect controlled environment they may be great, but in our world of uncertainty they should not lead only support.
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We need to educate our personnel to use technological advancements as enhancers to their decision-making and not replace it. It takes losing the "gee whiz" response and asking what these new capabilities really give us.
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CPT(P) (Join to see)
Good point, sir. What if command and control was done largely before the fight began? That is, if those decisions are made and captured in a computer to execute in the heat of battle immediately as contingencies arise. No chance for a commander to freeze up or make a silly mistake because of pressure.
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Absolutely not. War is full of unexpected and unintended consequences. Battles can shift, terrain changes, threats change, and units who are on the defense can often go on the offense.
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CPT(P) (Join to see)
However, you and I can only keep track of three or four things--which is why no platoon has ten squads. We also get tired, cold, and hungry. We daydream. We get divorced or learn our kids have serious illnesses.
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