Table of Contents
Introduction.
Types of future war technologies.
Artificial intelligence.
Remote technology.
Autonomous weapons.
Cyber operations.
Space operations.
Need of advanced technology for future warfare.
Challenges of technology corresponding to future warfare.
Contribution of technology in warfare.
Conclusion.
References.
After World War II, an unimaginable advancement in warfare technology has been seen. The USA is one of the super-advanced countries when it comes to defence and warfare technology. Various studies indicate that after commencing of the nuclear age, most of the countries on the planet have become prone to develop new warfare technology, either for defence or attack purposes (Latiff, 2017). Digital technology has significantly improved the abilities of countries to develop new tactical weapons and use them with high precision. In current times, advanced countries such as the USA and Russia are working to find new ways to develop weapons and acquire supremacy in the battleground.
Artificial intelligence, autonomous weapons, space technology and many other types of technologies are currently into considerations throughout the world, which are likely to reshape the future war tactics (Freedman, 2017). The USA is a superpower and the only country on the globe, which has started deploying these technologies in its defence forces when other countries are only conducting their researches. Not only this, many future technologies are underway, which may emerge in the coming decades. With these advancements, the questions on the need for super-advanced warfare technology and its effectiveness in reshaping the future wars emerge.
This report is entirely focused on warfare technology, which is under considerations by advanced and developed countries and can be used in future wars. Therefore, the report provides an insight into many technologies such as artificial intelligence, remote technology, autonomous weapons, space operations and many others. In addition to this, the report also includes information describing the need for such technology as well as the advantages and challenges associated. Further, there is a significant concentration on analysing the impacts of these technologies in future wars.
It is one of the most advanced technologies in current times, which focuses on simulating human intelligence within machines. Artificial intelligence allows the machines to take rightful and feasible decisions by themselves and carry out tasks without human aid (Murray, 2017). In this manner, manual efforts are not required to be made by the machine operators. It is a noticeable technology to develop new weapons by considering future wars. Many countries in contemporary time are working on artificial intelligence technology and how it can be used in warfare. In the context of war, artificial technology may help the forces not to put human efforts in targeting and using the right weapon at the right place (Kosal, 2019). For example, air defence systems, if integrated with artificial intelligence, may launch missiles by themselves, whenever they observe an intruder or energy aircraft within their territories. In this manner, decisions regarding the choice of the missile to attack the aircraft and targeting are taken by the machines. As a result, the accuracy of targeting can be enhanced with the use of artificial intelligence. It can be analysed that in war situations, loss of human lives is one of the victory determining factor. Therefore, the use of weapons equipped with artificial intelligence may allow a country to acquire supremacy and save casualties.
Remote technology can be understood as a technology in which human is not required to go to the desired place by operating some machine. On the contrary, remote technology helps in operating sophisticated machines through simple tools such as computers, joysticks and many others (Latiff, 2017). This technology is somewhat like videogame technology in which machines are controlled from a distance through unwired means. One of the astounding examples of remote technologies in contemporary times is that of drone technology. It is found in many studies that countries such as USA, Russia, China, Israel and many others have developed remote planes or drones, which can be used for various purposes such as reconnaissance, attack and so on.
The above figure presents the MQ-9 Reaper drone, which has been developed by the USA for attack and reconnaissance operations. It can be analysed that such remote technology can be greatly effective the reducing the loss of life in wars as professional pilots are not required to risk their lives in conducting raids and sauté (Del Monte, 2018). Drones like MQ-9 Reaper are operated by professionals from thousands of miles away and may acquire an elevation of thousands of meters. In this manner, it becomes highly difficult for the enemies to intercept remote technology. It is one of the major reasons why US Air Force is considered as the most powerful air force in the world because it has deployed the remote technology since decades, which is a task challenging to other countries.
The autonomous weapon also signifies the latest developments in the weapon technology. These weapons have the capabilities to intercept the aircraft and other vessels of the enemy by themselves (Wong, 2013). For example, the hypersonic missile is one of the noticeable autonomous weapons, which has sheer speed and accuracy. Similarly, THAAD air defence system developed by USA and S-400 missile defence system developed by Russia are also some of the prominent examples that can be given in an autonomous weapon category. These missiles are developed on the concept of “Launch and Forget”, due to which they detect any suspicious activity and launch guided missiles. Also, it is found in many studies that guided bombs are developed as autonomous weapons, which do not require manual targeting.
The USA has acquired a competitive edge in developing autonomous weapons by creating guided bullets, which can be fired by even a child. These bullets automatically detect the enemies and hit them with high accuracy, as shown in the above figure. It can be analysed that autonomous weapons may reduce human-made errors; if used in wars (Gareev & Kipp, 2013). At the same time, technologies such as self-guided bullets may allow countries to reduce the cost of war. However, full-scale implementation of these technologies has not become possible yet; but, these are likely to be used shortly.
Along with several tactical and broad range of weapons, internet-based attacks are also laying the foundation of future wars. Every country on this planet is connected through internet technology (Krome, 2012). Internet is the only mean to the defence forces of any country to operate all weapons except manual guns, rifles and artillery guns. For this reason, a country launching a cyber attack on its enemies may easily acquire all crucial information, which can be the reason behind the enemy’s defeat. Attack of nuclear launch codes through cyber means may put the global pace into danger.
It can be understood that the department of defence and war technology in every country manages its operations through internet-based tools and store its data on secured databases. Scenarios of cyber attacks and intruding may compromise the security of a country as their defence secrets can be accessed by their enemies (Gruszczak & Frankowski, 2018). For this reason, cyber attack and operations are also considerable aspects, which must be considered under future warfare. Any country accessing the control of the cyberspace of its enemies may do substantial damage, which could be a victory determining factor.
It is one of the newest areas of war in contemporary time of super-advanced war technologies. Space wars or operations refer to the attacking practice of a country in which artificial satellites launched by its enemy country are hijacked or damaged. However, none of the country in current times has exhibited such space war operations; but, there are vital probabilities of such operations in future (Boothby, 2018). It is found in many studies that approach of hijacking the satellite and so on may allow an enemy country to negotiate or face terrible consequences.
Similarly, the establishment of missiles and payloads in space is another technology on which many countries are currently working. These technologies may allow a country to target its enemy directly from the space and satellite hovering over it. It is the future technology, which can make the war one-sided towards the country, which masters this technology. Also, it is found in many studies that the USA might have plans to establish missile and war payloads on the moon and create a moon station, which can be used during space wars (Roland, 2016). This way, it can be analysed that there are several space operations, which are currently under consideration by different countries. These operations may lay a firm foundation for the space wars in future. In this scenario, countries with highly advanced space technologies may acquire a competitive edge and supremacy.
In current times, every country is opting to acquire new defence technology so that its security can be ensured. After World War II and commence of the cold war, every country aligning to either Western or Eastern blocs was required sideline old defence and attack technology. Various studies suggest that countries can be as influential in global politics as their armed forces are (Latiff, 2017). It is a major reason why developed countries such as USA, Russia, and China and so on are focusing on creating breakthrough war technology so that they might prove their supremacy and sustain dominating. Researches and development being carried out in the USA for defence technology are pushing its direct enemies and rival countries to adopt similar tactics to exist. For example, the Cold War between Russia and the USA lead to the development of thousands of nuclear weapons. Also, the phase of the Cold War triggered the space race and considerations for the deployment of weapons in space were being made.
However, many countries have acquired and developed technologies such as air defence systems, missile technology, advanced generation fighter aircraft; but, leading countries such are focusing on developing breakthrough technology, which could replace the existing technology and can be the reason behind their supremacy and dominance (Freedman, 2017). In future, these scenarios are much likely to enhance because of competition between countries for business, defence technology, border disputes and many other geopolitical reasons.
It can be analysed that development of new technology by a dominant country allow its immediate rivals to face the threats of existence. Therefore, it is necessary to countries, which have substantial image and role in geo-politics to undergo research and come up with new technology, providing future sustainability (Murray, 2017). Dominance by a single country such as the USA or other may result in a monopoly in global politics. Hence, it can be said that future war technology is highly essential in current times due to the treat of existence.
Along with several advantages associated with future warfare technology; there are also certain challenges, which are described in the following way.
Cost: Cost is one of the major challenges to the countries, which are heading towards developing future war technology. It is found from many studies that war technology is highly expensive in which aircraft or missiles can be developed after spending millions or billions of dollars (Rosen, 2018). Such highly expensive technology can be used only when a country will engage in wars with its enemies. For this reason, investing such a large amount of capital on future war technology such as space operations, autonomous weapons, and many others may put countries into significant pressure to manage their gross primary productivity. In current times, there are a few countries, whose GDP exceeds one trillion. The USA is the largest economy, which may easily bear the cost of developing such expensive technology. In this manner, it becomes challenging for countries to spend on future war technology and maintain their economy at the same time.
Research: Another challenge associated with developing or acquiring future war technologies to countries is an intense need for research. Various studies conducted by different researchers and scholars show that countries developing breakthrough war technology are required to undergo intense research for years (Gray, 2012). Scientists and engineers work together to develop new weapons, which are more efficient than the existing war technology. For example, USA commenced the research for developing drone and autonomous aircraft technology in the decades of 1980. Due to long term research, the country could develop some super-advanced future war weapons such as High-Intensity Lazer Beam, MQ-9 Reaper drone and many others (Spiegeleire, Maas & Sweijs, 2017). Hence, research and time associated with the development of new technology is also a major constraint to countries.
Future wars will likely be much different from the wars and attacks conducted by countries in current times. In these wars, the technologies described above can be greatly effective and game-changing. Some major contributions of the technology in future warfare are described in the following manner.
It can be concluded from the above report that war technology is likely to reshape the war tactics immensely. There are different types of technologies, which either are developed or are into consideration. These technologies include artificial intelligence, remote technology, autonomous weapons, cyber operations and space operations. It can be said that the USA is the only country in current times, which has inducted nearly all these technologies and has acquired a competitive edge. MQ-9 Reaper drones developed by the USA and self-guided bullets are some of the astounding examples of future war technology, which are likely to influence wars. These technologies may act as the victory determining factor to the countries, which use them.
Further, it can also be said that remote technologies and autonomous weapon technology are much likely to be the game-changer in wars in future. Use of drones may allow countries to save the lives of their soldiers. Also, it is found that these technologies may reduce the need for manpower to conquer the wars in future. The above report has shown that the use of super-advanced technology has allowed the USA to source victory in Iraq war easily. In future, drones, unmanned technology, space operations, cyber operations are more likely to occur due to their advantages. However, some challenges with the use of these technologies are also found in the report, which includes the high cost of development of future war technology and the need for extensive research and time.
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