DescentBB

Yes a movie reference in the E&C just wondering how long it will be before unmanned aerial drones will go from border surveillance to killing machines. Senate has approve 600 million to beef up security along the border which includes more drones and agents. Oh I already forgot the \"Predator\" is a killing machine.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/co ... 06315.html

It's unlikely we'll use drones to kill people just for illegally crossing the border. But for military operations? There's broad speculation among those \"in the know\" that F-22 is the last great manned fighter, and that we'll move to unmanned combat aerial vehicles within a generation. They can already do things like autonomously coordinate strikes and land on carriers. Without a pilot to worry about subjecting to extreme G-forces, it won't be long until they're pulling maneuvers no manned jet could ever dream of.

I recommend \"Wired for War\" by P. W. Singer

It's an incredible and interesting look at what's going on with robotics and warfare. The author LIKES robots, and approves of them being used. He's also scared of how the military is approaching some aspects of automation.

For example, he went to one company that builds military robots, and, during the interview:
\"A… scientist talked about how the military came to him and said, \"Oh, we'd like you to design the hunter-killer drone from the Terminator movies.\"

Automation and robotization of the military WILL happen. But exactly how we approach it will make a big difference in the final outcome.