CHINA-JAPAN: JAPAN'S BEGINS DEVELOPMENT OF UNMANNED, AUTOMATED FIGHTER AIRCRAFT AND DRONES TO COUNTER CHINA

Nikkei reported (January 1) that Japan has begun to develop unmanned, remote-controlled fighter aircraft capable of breakneck manoeuvres that will be deployed as early as 2035, to counter advancements in China's military technologies and the rise of drone warfare. Currently, China possesses more than 1,000 fourth-generation fighter jets that can reach supersonic speeds and has begun deploying fifth-generation stealth fighters. Japan's Defense Ministry plans to introduce fighter drones in three stages -- first, those that are remote-controlled, then "teaming" operations where one manned plane would control several drones, and ultimately for use in completely unmanned and autonomous squadrons. Autonomous weapons require advanced machine-learning capabilities, and international rules have yet to catch up to the technology. The ministry plans to focus on teaming operations first for its 2035 goal, set to coincide with the deployment of Japan's next-generation manned fighters.

Japanese companies Subaru will be in charge of developing remote and flight control capabilities while Mitsubishi Heavy Industries and Mitsubishi Electric will work on an instantaneous information-sharing system between multiple aircraft. The Ministry's Acquisition, Technology and Logistics Agency is planning the Artificial Intelligence technology for the drones. 






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