China unleash AI fighter jets capable of shooting down real pilots - ‘Better than humans’

[xizhimen]

China unleash AI fighter jets capable of shooting down real pilots - ‘Better than humans’​

CHINA has unveiled its latest military technological achievement - fighter jets controlled by artificial intelligence (AI).​

By OLIVER TRAPNELL
PUBLISHED: 02:12, Thu, Jun 17, 2021 | UPDATED: 02:13, Thu, Jun 17, 2021

In simulated test battles, the AI-controlled jets were able to shoot down real human pilots according to the Chinese military’s official newspaper, PLA Daily. Brigade commander Du Jianfeng, told the publication that the AI jets were becoming more integrated into pilot training.

Mr Du said the aircraft were capable of making “flawless tactical decisions”.

He also praised the AI’s “skill at handling the aircraft.”

Mr Du continued to say that the newly developed system was a powerful aid for “sharpening the sword” of Chinese pilots.

One of the most remarkable aspects of the new system is the ability to copy and instantly master new tactics and combat skills.

Military experts have proposed integration of the AI system into modern warfare could help pilots make decisions by taking an entire battlefield into consideration.

Fang Guoyu, one of the pilots tested against the system was “shot down” after the AI used his own technique against him.

He said: “At first, it was not difficult to win against the AI.

“But by studying data, each engagement became a chance for it to improve.

“The move with which you defeated it today will be in its hands tomorrow.”

Mr Fang added the system excelled at “learning, assimilating, reviewing, and researching”.

According to reports last year, an AI system in the US also defeated an American fighter pilot in a simulated aerial battle.

The simulated test, conducted by the Defence Advanced Research Projects Agency at the Pentagon, was able to defeat at least seven teams.

A statement from the defence agency said: “In a future air domain contested by adversaries, a single human pilot can increase lethality by effectively orchestrating multiple autonomous unmanned platforms from within a manned aircraft.

“This shifts the human role from single platform operator to mission commander.”

The latest news of China’s AI-controlled jets follows an incursion into Taiwan airspace by the People’s Liberation Army on Tuesday.

The incursion was the largest to date, with at least 28 warplanes involved in the operation.

China unleash AI fighter jets capable of shooting down real pilots

CHINA has unveiled its latest military technological achievement - fighter jets controlled by artificial intelligence (AI).

www.express.co.uk

 

[kimov]

This is expected but somewhat useless development as air-to-air fight will not be close combat or dogs fights between advanced enemies.

The real fight will be dominated by long-range shootout with BVRAAM. Here the air-crafts which sees the enemy first wins, this could be direct primary sensor detection but also information from other sources such as AWACS. Here, drones are actually have a benefit again since they are physically smaller/lighter, smaller RCS, lower heat signature, lower cost, more specialized, made of composite materials, can perform high risk/high reward missions. Due to lower cost, the drones will most likely also be much more numerous than manned fighters so they can develop different strategies such as multi-layer broad defense/offensive tactics similar to ancient roman tactics. The front line could consist of decoy or targets drones released from larger platform in the back.

So, I personally think that developing better sensors and tactics are better investment than AI aimed at dog-fights.