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2005-09-13 Great White North

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Posted by Steve 2005-09-13 09:12|| || Front Page|| [11129 views since 2007-05-07] Top

#1 I can see UCAVs having an edge in manuvering but I question the situational awarenenss of a piece of software much less an operator sitting in a remote location someplace. Plus IMO UCAVs will cost enough that there will be a certain amount of trepidation about putting them at un-nessecary risk.

Posted by Cheaderhead 2005-09-13 12:14|| 2005-09-13 12:14|| Front Page Top

#2 The Canadians may well be looking at the cost of UCAVs in comparison to fielding a trained, equipped and supported pilot, especially given how difficult it is to get funding for their Armed Services now.

Posted by trailing wife 2005-09-13 12:38|| 2005-09-13 12:38|| Front Page Top

#3 Oh I'm sure the training/operating costs are one thing they are looking at. IMO UCAVs will have an enormous in the realm of tactics but they won't be the be-all end-all

Posted by Cheaderhead 2005-09-13 12:48|| 2005-09-13 12:48|| Front Page Top

#4 I can see UCAVs having an edge in manuvering but I question the situational awarenenss of a piece of software much less an operator sitting in a remote location someplace.

With computerized systems, it's not the single unit that needs situational awareness, but the entire network. While each plane would have a brain flying it, they'd be getting orders from a "master" brain back on an AWACS. The "master" would be able to use data not just from the AWACS sensors, but also the individual fighters; human input would consist of grading targets as to their value and acceptability.

The result would be very nasty to face; a fighter unit that is fully coordinated. Plane A may have an easier angle on a target than plane B, but since the target is "below" its sight line, a human pilot wouldn't see it in time. The "master" brain, though, could determine that A has an easier hit and shift its orders.

Plus IMO UCAVs will cost enough that there will be a certain amount of trepidation about putting them at un-nessecary risk.

That's a non-issue; it's still cheaper than a trained pilot, particularly one trained to the degree necessary to be effective. I don't recall anyone worrying that the first jets were too expensive to be used in combat.

Also, the UCAV won't retire and doesn't have a family fearing the "we regret to inform you" letter.

Posted by Robert Crawford">Robert Crawford 2005-09-13 13:00|| http://www.kloognome.com/]">[http://www.kloognome.com/] 2005-09-13 13:00|| Front Page Top

#5 Resistance is Futile....

Posted by john">john 2005-09-13 15:14|| 2005-09-13 15:14|| Front Page Top

#6 Flying Bolos from the skies -
Metal men who do or die...

Posted by mojo">mojo 2005-09-13 15:29|| 2005-09-13 15:29|| Front Page Top

#7 Sarah... Connor?

Posted by The Terminator 2005-09-13 15:41|| 2005-09-13 15:41|| Front Page Top

#8 The first test pilot to be "shot-down" by one of these is going to hear "you're terminated" FOREVER more.

Unless they are VERY clever an AI pilot will never have a hope against a real pilot (even if the pilot isn't IN the plane).

Why? The planes will consistently make the same mistakes (unless there is a Error feedback/group mind system that noone can write yet!)

Posted by Huposing Phaitle9864 2005-09-13 17:14|| 2005-09-13 17:14|| Front Page Top

#9 "Canada Considers Robotic Fighters"

Heh... They need robots to do the fighting cause they don't have the will to do it themselves....

Posted by Mark E. 2005-09-13 17:49|| 2005-09-13 17:49|| Front Page Top

#10 So they do get the Anime Network in Canada ...

Posted by DMFD 2005-09-13 18:38|| 2005-09-13 18:38|| Front Page Top

#11 By 2017, CA will be a sharia government.

Posted by Captain America 2005-09-13 20:54|| 2005-09-13 20:54|| Front Page Top

23:43 C-Low
23:43 DMFD
23:33 ed
23:20 ryuge
23:18 Mike
23:05 RWV
23:01 Barbara Skolaut
22:55 RWV
22:50 RWV
22:47 ed
22:41 GK
22:33 Frank G
22:30 trailing wife
22:26 Frank G
22:23 Phil Fraering
22:15 DanNY
22:11 trailing wife
22:10 ed
22:10 Barbara Skolaut
22:10 Robert Crawford
22:07 Ross Perot
22:07 Robert Crawford
22:06 ed
22:06 Frank G