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MommyLiberty--Drones
I came across this tidbit...doesn't answer the question about alternatives, but it gave me pause.
http://www.f-secure.com/weblog/archives/00002448.html
The article has this interesting snippet, taken from declassified US Drone incident reports:
Air Force mechanics have reported mysterious incidents in which the airborne robots went haywire. In March 2011, a Predator parked at the camp started its engine without any human direction, even though the ignition had been turned off and the fuel lines closed. Technicians concluded that a software bug had infected the "brains" of the drone, but never pinpointed the problem. "After that whole starting-itself incident, we were fairly wary of the aircraft and watched it pretty closely," an unnamed Air Force squadron commander testified to an investigative board, according to a transcript. "Right now, I still think the software is not good.""
Air Force mechanics have reported mysterious incidents in which the airborne robots went haywire. In March 2011, a Predator parked at the camp started its engine without any human direction, even though the ignition had been turned off and the fuel lines closed. Technicians concluded that a software bug had infected the "brains" of the drone, but never pinpointed the problem. "After that whole starting-itself incident, we were fairly wary of the aircraft and watched it pretty closely," an unnamed Air Force squadron commander testified to an investigative board, according to a transcript. "Right now, I still think the software is not good.""
Re: MommyLiberty--Drones
Very interesting.
I like the idea of taking soldiers out of harm's way, thus, using drones, but sadly whenever we give way to technology to do the human brain's job we're just dealing with binary code - no human or humane instincts.
I know the drone operators have camera, etc. feed being reported to them, but I think the eyes on the ground of a human is still more powerful and can reason that the cost of civilian casualties is too high to warrant the attack or at least question the attack.
Maybe when killing people, we shouldn't rely on video? I don't know...
Also, drones can be captured electronically, right? So theoretically a terrorist could steal one in flight and use it against us. At least they can't take over a pilot flying a fighter that way.
But that raises another question for us...missiles are mostly launched from warships at sea anyway, right? They are using the same sorts of intel as drones, correct? So, are they safer or cause less casualties?
What's the appeal of drones that is better than long-range missiles?