[LINK] What are the new frontiers of war?

[Tom Worthington]

On 29/9/21 8:31 pm, Stephen Loosley wrote:
>> From: Frank O'Connor Sent: Tuesday, 21 September 2021 1:49 PM
>> 
>> Drones, and ever ’smarter’ drones are in all probability the way
>> of the future. And in 40 years time ...

Drones have already changed the way wars a fought. We will see dramatic
changes in the next 10 years, not 40.

>> ... aquatic smart drones ... would deny that stretch of water  ...

Yes, in WWII, one significant contribution Australia made to the war in
the Pacific was mining. Mines were placed by submarines, flying boats 
and ships. Mines, which look like torpedoes, and can position 
themselves, are now available. Lithium batteries made for cars will 
allow a new generation of low cost smart mines. These could remain on 
station for extended periods, report passing ships, attack on command, 
or return to be serviced and recharged. The students at an Australian 
university could design such a weapon and a small local company build 
them in a shed.
https://blog.tomw.net.au/2021/09/new-generation-of-underwater-drone.html

> There’s more than subs in the AUKUS technology-sharing pact with the 
> US and the UK - AI, cyber, quantum, hypersonic missiles ...

What is missing from this analysis is the grey warfare element. If the
target is a large warship, then a hyper-sonic missile could be used. But
if there are hundreds of what look like fishing boats, possibly from a
commercial port leased from a third country, it is not financially, or
politically, feasible to attack them all with expensive hyper-sonic
missiles. What is needed are a lot of small boats, each with a flashing
light, a loudhailer, and a machine gun. These can be crewed, or remote
controlled.



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Tom Worthington, MEd FHEA FACS CP IP3P http://www.tomw.net.au
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Honorary Lecturer, Computer Science, Australian National University
https://cecs.anu.edu.au/research/profile/tom-worthington