Pilotless Planes, Pacific Tensions

The Navy is launching an autonomous combat drone, which may add to tensions between the United States and China, suggests journalist and author Richard Parker in an opinion essay for the New York Times. The US drone technology can withstand radiation that would kill human pilots and can carry microwave technology that could ruin power grids and computer networks. China has invested more than $100 billion over the last decade to build an army second only to that of the United States – and has started investing in drone technology, too. An arms race between the world’s two largest armies increases the chance of unintentional clashes. Because of the lack of human pilots, drones may increase aggressive behavior among controllers, suggests Parker. He concludes by urging the US and China to broaden their economic relationship. That could include the two navies coordinating and engaging in more diplomatic missions that deter war. – YaleGlobal