IngwiePhoenix on Nostr: So basically remote-controlled, autonomous, "kill a terrorist" maschines. Aight. ...

So basically remote-controlled, autonomous, "kill a terrorist" maschines.

Aight. Dystopia ain't that far off.

quoting note1q9n…652a

The Skyborg program is a cutting-edge initiative by the United States Air Force (USAF) aimed at developing and integrating artificial intelligence (AI) into autonomous unmanned aircraft systems (UAS). The program is designed to create a family of AI-enabled, low-cost, expendable, or attritable drones that can operate alongside manned aircraft, enhancing mission capabilities and survivability for U.S. forces.

Key Features and Goals:
Autonomy: Skyborg incorporates advanced AI to enable drones to operate independently or in collaboration with human pilots. The system can navigate, detect threats, and execute missions without constant human intervention.

Attritable Design: The drones are designed to be cost-effective and expendable, meaning they can be used in high-risk missions without significant financial or strategic losses if they are destroyed.

Versatility: Skyborg aims to support a variety of mission types, including intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance (ISR), electronic warfare, and strike operations.

Teamwork with Manned Aircraft: A central goal is the ability to operate as loyal wingmen alongside fighter jets, such as the F-35 or F-15EX. These drones could provide additional sensors, carry extra weapons, or shield human pilots from threats.

Modular Systems: The Skyborg program emphasizes modularity, allowing drones to be equipped with interchangeable payloads tailored to specific missions.

Development and Milestones:
Launch: Skyborg was initiated by the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) in 2019 as part of the broader Vanguard initiative to fast-track transformative technologies.

Industry Collaboration: The program involves partnerships with major aerospace and defense companies, including Boeing, Kratos, Northrop Grumman, and General Atomics.

Flight Tests:
In May 2021, a Kratos UTAP-22 drone successfully flew with the Skyborg AI for the first time, demonstrating the AI’s ability to control the aircraft and adapt to dynamic mission scenarios. Ongoing tests continue to refine the AI’s decision-making capabilities and integrate it with various airframes.

Strategic Importance:
Force Multiplier: Skyborg drones can enhance the combat effectiveness of existing assets by providing additional operational capabilities without the need for additional manned aircraft.

Cost Savings: The attritable design reduces the overall cost compared to traditional manned aircraft.

Technological Edge: Skyborg is part of the U.S. military’s broader effort to maintain a technological edge over near-peer adversaries like China and Russia, which are also developing AI-driven unmanned systems.

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The drones sighted over New Jersey (or other locations where drone sightings have been reported) have raised questions about their origins, purposes, and possible connections to military programs like Skyborg. While no direct evidence links these sightings to Skyborg specifically, several connections and hypotheses can be drawn based on the capabilities and testing objectives of advanced drone programs. Here’s a breakdown:

1. Advanced Drone Testing
Connection: Skyborg and similar programs often conduct flight tests to validate technologies, including AI navigation and collaborative behavior. These tests sometimes occur over sparsely populated areas or near military installations, which could overlap with the locations of reported drone sightings.

Relevance to NJ Sightings: If the drones in NJ displayed advanced flight patterns, such as coordinated movements, hovering, or rapid maneuvers beyond commercial drone capabilities, it could suggest the involvement of military-grade systems.

2. Surveillance or ISR Missions
Connection: Skyborg-enabled drones are designed for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR), meaning they could be conducting real-world training or data collection exercises.

Relevance to NJ Sightings: If the drones appeared to be observing infrastructure, airspace, or other assets, it could align with ISR activities common in military operations. However, such missions would typically avoid public detection unless part of covert or experimental objectives.

3. Proliferation of Drone Swarms
Connection: Skyborg supports the development of drone swarms capable of collaborative missions. These swarms are a hallmark of cutting-edge military technologies being explored globally.

Relevance to NJ Sightings: Witnesses have occasionally reported multiple drones acting in a coordinated manner, which could suggest testing of swarm dynamics. This behavior might align with the kind of AI-driven operations central to Skyborg.

4. Military vs Civilian Misidentification
Connection: Skyborg-related drones are highly sophisticated and may be mistaken for other phenomena, such as UFOs or mysterious civilian drones, due to their unique flight capabilities.

Relevance to NJ Sightings: Reports of drones over NJ might stem from misidentifications of experimental military assets. Unusual flight characteristics—such as silence, high speed, or erratic movements—fit descriptions of advanced drones under development.

5. Security and Anonymity
Connection: The military often operates covertly, and Skyborg’s testing programs might intentionally lack visible markings or emit signals that can be intercepted.

Relevance to NJ Sightings: If these sightings were of Skyborg drones, the lack of identification or communication could be deliberate to maintain operational security.

Speculative Possibilities
Testing Civilian Awareness: Military tests sometimes assess public reactions to new technologies under real-world conditions.

Adversarial Technologies: The drones might also belong to foreign actors testing their systems or probing U.S. defenses, indirectly tying the sightings to Skyborg as a countermeasure to such technologies.

Conclusion
While there’s no confirmed link between the drones sighted over New Jersey and the Skyborg program, the capabilities and objectives of Skyborg align with some characteristics observed in mysterious drone sightings. These incidents may reflect the testing or operational use of advanced drones—whether from Skyborg, other U.S. programs, or foreign sources. Further investigation into the sightings, flight patterns, and any official responses could provide additional clarity.

#Skyborg #drones