Robots to make one-third of US military forces by 2039: Ex-general

One-third of the US military could be robotic in the next 15 years, claimed retired Army Gen. Mark Milley, a former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

The extensive adoption of unmanned and AI-driven tools of war would significantly reshape the military, raising serious ethical questions. According to Milley, it will be a fundamental change, and he argues that other nations’ militaries will be similarly designed.

During the Axios ‘ Future of Defense event , Milley stressed that the number of human troops “will probably be reduced as you move toward robotic systems”.

Advancing military tech with armed drones and robo-dogs

Military forces globally are competing to advance robotic technologies that aid in combat, intelligence gathering, casualty evacuation, transportation, and other critical tasks across land, air, and water.

Innovations have introduced a range of advanced technologies like armed drones, robo-dogs, and mechanical mules, which are now more viable than ever thanks to advancements in the digital defense industry.

The Army is actively testing human-machine integrated formations, where soldiers collaborate with automatons in combat scenarios. Meanwhile, the Air Force is pursuing “collaborative combat” aircraft designed to fly alongside human pilots. These aircraft are intended to gather intelligence, disrupt enemy electronics, and execute precision strikes on targets.

Milley pointed out that such developments outline some of biggest changes in the character of war.

“Your two big ones that are emerging very rapidly is the introduction of robots … Combine that with the enormous power of quantum computing and AI, and you’ve got some real significant fundamental changes,” he said during the event.

Meanwhile, the Navy is advancing towards a hybrid fleet, integrating unmanned surface and underwater vehicles to enhance the capabilities of sailors and Marines. The Navy is doing this with the help of pioneers such as Task Force 59 in the Middle East, who are at the forefront of such innovations.

Human oversight in trigger control and versatile robotics in military operations

US policy mandates human control over triggering mechanisms. Robotics also serve broader purposes, such as transporting supplies over long distances or evacuating injured fighters from the battlefield.

While the combination of crew-less tanks or pilot-less fighter jets with ultra-fast decision-making software raises concerns about killer robots, there are certain safeguards that are implemented.

“I lean toward humans in the loop. But I think this is going to be something that people are going to have to come to grips with here in the next decade or so,”  Milley commented regarding the weapons oversight.

However, he also emphasized that the country that optimizes these technologies for military use could gain a significant — and potentially decisive — advantage in armed conflicts.