Naval Historywith Dr. Alex

Q&A · 3:42:09-3:43:28

Why local drone coordination does not remove human fire control

Flock-like coordination can reduce data traffic, but the proposed force still needs people to assess information and oversee weapon use.

Command And ControlCybersecurityFire ControlUncrewed Systems
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Question

Could drones coordinate like flocks of birds to reduce communications demand?

Short answer

Local coordination can help with data traffic, but it does not remove the proposed need for human fire control, information assessment, and monitoring against interference.

Notes

A suggestion that drones coordinate like birds addresses part of the communications load. Human participation in fire control and assessment of incoming information remains a separate requirement in the discussion. Monitoring is also needed to detect faults or attempts to take control of the equipment. Tentative remarks about US uncrewed assets being picked up by fishing trawlers add a concern about losing physical control of deployed systems.