US and China must set rules before autonomous fighters cross paths
In December 2022, a Chinese J-11 fighter came within metres of a US RC-135 surveillance plane over the South China Sea, according to the US military, which criticised it as an unsafe manoeuvre. China, however, held the American crew responsible and claimed the RC-135 had suddenly veered towards the Chinese jet despite repeated warnings. Both sides released video footage, yet neither accepted the…
As autonomous fighter aircraft gain capabilities, the US and China must establish clear rules to prevent dangerous encounters, according to a new report. In December 2022, a Chinese J-11 fighter came within metres of a US RC-135 surveillance plane, with both sides blaming the other. This incident and others like it have led the US to plan for an Autonomous Warfare Command, while China's military is developing swarms of unmanned drones.
As these aircraft become more autonomous, questions arise about the extent of human control and how to ensure they stay within designated limits. The US Air Force recently tested an unmanned combat jet that can fly alongside a manned fighter, emphasizing that it will not autonomously fire weapons. However, such tests are conducted in controlled environments, and real-world situations could be vastly different.
The upcoming AI-related incidents channel, AI-specific dialogue, and memorandum on military crisis communications between Washington and Beijing could help establish guidelines for autonomous aircraft. However, the effectiveness of these measures will depend on both sides' willingness to share information and cooperate.
Written by urgent.news from Reuters Business via SCMP's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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