In class we constantly allude to video gaming systems and the potential for additional or deeper human involvement that could blur our reality into that of virtual reality and vice versa. We also brought up the side effects that exposure to violent video games could lead to as people move back into the real world. But in the real world there are people who right now are living the reality that every flight simulation game tries to bring us into. These are the pilots of the US Air Force and the RAF who are flying missions in the Middle East from the desert in Nevada - pilots of the unmanned Predator and Reaper aircraft.
These are classically trained pilots who are stationed in 'cockpits' that are actually trailers located at Nellis Air Base in Nevada. The 'pilot' and his 'back' are positioned in front of a number of displays that relay the information collected by the electronics and cameras positioned on the aircraft. Each 'cockpit' is able to command up to four Predators within the squadron. From the information received from on-board radar systems and intelligence these planes are able to perform a number of critical missions without endangering the lives of pilots.
Initially the Predators were designed as spy planes used simply for the purpose of collecting site data for intelligence operations and targetting for manned warplane missions. Later versions added light armaments for protection and small scale aggression. The latest design is the MQ-9 Reaper, which has a full array of the latest missiles available to the Air Force as well as cargo abilities to carry bombs, including the JDAM bomb, which is a 500 pound laser guided bomb for precision attacks. Who knows what this technology will evolve into in the future, but if we have access to this much information today I am sure the designs we can't know about are even more stunning.
So, the military has created a living game, of sorts, where you and another player have control over up to four planes, with armaments of various power and capabilities, where you can take out individuals terrorists or buried bunkers and command centers. Oh, and if you use up all of your weapons you can call in air strikes and missile attacks from other local military assets by using the guidance features and laser targetting systems. Kind of makes all of those flight simulation games with advanced graphics well worth Juniors time if he becomes the next great fighter pilot, doesn't it? How long before we send robots into battle that are commanded from 8000 miles away and the 'soldier' is acting out a scene in CTD4, but in real life.
Makes you think, doesn't it.
http://www.af.mil/factsheets/factsheet.asp?fsID=6405
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1032376/Meet-RAFs-newest-combat-group-pilotless-planes-flying-crack-missions-Afghanistan-8-000-miles-away.html
These are classically trained pilots who are stationed in 'cockpits' that are actually trailers located at Nellis Air Base in Nevada. The 'pilot' and his 'back' are positioned in front of a number of displays that relay the information collected by the electronics and cameras positioned on the aircraft. Each 'cockpit' is able to command up to four Predators within the squadron. From the information received from on-board radar systems and intelligence these planes are able to perform a number of critical missions without endangering the lives of pilots.Initially the Predators were designed as spy planes used simply for the purpose of collecting site data for intelligence operations and targetting for manned warplane missions. Later versions added light armaments for protection and small scale aggression. The latest design is the MQ-9 Reaper, which has a full array of the latest missiles available to the Air Force as well as cargo abilities to carry bombs, including the JDAM bomb, which is a 500 pound laser guided bomb for precision attacks. Who knows what this technology will evolve into in the future, but if we have access to this much information today I am sure the designs we can't know about are even more stunning.
So, the military has created a living game, of sorts, where you and another player have control over up to four planes, with armaments of various power and capabilities, where you can take out individuals terrorists or buried bunkers and command centers. Oh, and if you use up all of your weapons you can call in air strikes and missile attacks from other local military assets by using the guidance features and laser targetting systems. Kind of makes all of those flight simulation games with advanced graphics well worth Juniors time if he becomes the next great fighter pilot, doesn't it? How long before we send robots into battle that are commanded from 8000 miles away and the 'soldier' is acting out a scene in CTD4, but in real life.
Makes you think, doesn't it.
http://www.af.mil/factsheets/factsheet.asp?fsID=6405
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1032376/Meet-RAFs-newest-combat-group-pilotless-planes-flying-crack-missions-Afghanistan-8-000-miles-away.html
No comments:
Post a Comment