The Trinity Revolution in Warfare: Precision, Sensors and Comms
Feb 29, 2024
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Experts discuss the transformation of warfare with precision munitions and digital communications, the importance of infantry mass and artillery ammunition, the challenges of electronic warfare and hypersonic missiles, the potential of unmanned systems, and the impact of technology on modern warfare.
Precision strike munitions and sensor technologies are transforming modern warfare dynamics.
Unmanned systems require significant resources and manpower for sustained operations.
Cyber warfare demands extensive resources and intelligence efforts for large-scale attacks.
Deep dives
Technological Advances Impacting Warfare
The podcast discusses the changing nature of warfare due to technological advances, specifically focusing on the impact of unmanned systems and precision strike munitions. Examples like General Sir Mark Carlton Smith's speech and discussions with military experts highlight the evolution in land warfare strategies and the crucial role of digital networks in modern conflicts.
Speed and Precision Revolution in Warfare
The conversation delves into the importance of speed and precision in modern warfare, emphasizing the revolution in precision strike munitions and the advancements in sensor technologies that enable more accurate targeting. The integration of digital networks to link sensors, commanders, and weapons has significantly transformed battlefield dynamics, with a focus on reducing the time between target identification and engagement.
Proliferation of Missiles and Impact on State and Non-state Actors
The podcast explores the proliferation of precision-guided munitions, particularly in regions like the Middle East, and the implications for both state and non-state actors. Examples from conflicts like the Iranian strikes and Houthi anti-ship capabilities illustrate the shift towards precision weapons technology and its impact on traditional military strategies and defenses.
Resource Intensity and Manpower Requirements
An important discussion revolves around the resource intensity and manpower requirements associated with modern warfare technologies like drones, cyber capabilities, and precision-guided munitions. The need for significant ground support and analysis to sustain these systems is highlighted, challenging the notion of simplicity portrayed in videos of unmanned systems in action.
Cyber Warfare and Complexity of Offensive Capabilities
The complexity of cyber warfare and offensive capabilities is examined, with insights on the intensive resources and efforts required to execute large-scale cyber attacks. References to historical cyber incidents like Stuxnet underscore the substantial logistical, intelligence, and reconnaissance components essential for delivering cyber effects and capabilities.
Lessons on Humility and Comprehensive Analysis in Military Technology
The podcast concludes with a call for humility in assessing military advancements and the importance of understanding the full scope of efforts behind modern military technologies. Emphasizing the need to acknowledge what is unseen and to approach assessments with a comprehensive view, the conversation highlights the multifaceted nature of warfare technology development and deployment.
Dmitri Alperovitch talks with Shashank Joshi, Defense Editor for The Economist, about the changing nature of warfare and the impact of proliferation and affordability of precision munitions, sensor ubiquity and digital communications like Starlink. They discuss the still crucial importance of infantry mass and artillery ammunition in this revolution, the challenge presented by electronic warfare and its logistical needs, whether unmanned systems are truly offering a radically new capability or are cheap replications of existing systems like torpedoes and cruise missiles, whether hypersonic missiles are worth the cost and the high manpower requirements of unmanned platforms and cyber weapons.
Please check out Dmitri's upcoming book : "World on the Brink: How America Can Beat China in the Race for the Twenty-First Century" https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CF1TKHY2
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