Future of Warfare: Robots to Constitute a Third of U.S. Military, Says Retired Army Gen. Mark Milley

In a significant shift towards advanced warfare, retired Army Gen. Mark Milley, former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, stated that robots and smart machinery could make up to one-third of the U.S. military within the next 10-15 years. Speaking at an Axios event, Milley highlighted the profound impact this technological integration will have on military operations and the ethical considerations it will raise.

Milley emphasized that this transformation will be fundamental, suggesting that other countries are likely to adopt similar strategies. The integration of robotic systems could lead to a reduction in human troops, as unmanned and AI-driven tools of war become more prevalent. This change is not entirely new; militaries have been experimenting with armed drones, robotic dogs, mechanical mules, and other automated systems for years. However, advancements in digital defense technologies now make these tools more viable than ever.

The Army is currently testing human-machine integrated formations, where soldiers operate alongside robots. The Air Force is developing "collaborative combat" aircraft to fly with human pilots, gathering intelligence, disrupting enemy electronics, and targeting adversaries. Meanwhile, the Navy is working on a hybrid fleet that includes unmanned surface and underwater vehicles to enhance the capabilities of sailors and Marines. Task Force 59 in the Middle East is at the forefront of this initiative.

Despite the promising advancements, there are concerns about the potential dangers of autonomous weaponry. The prospect of crewless tanks and pilotless fighter jets making rapid decisions raises fears of uncontrollable killer robots. However, current U.S. policy mandates that a human must make the final decision to use lethal force. Robots also have non-combat applications, such as transporting supplies and evacuating injured soldiers from the battlefield.

Milley advocates for keeping humans in control of weapon systems, acknowledging that this will be a critical issue to address in the coming decade. He stressed that the country that best optimizes these technologies for military purposes will gain a significant and possibly decisive advantage in future conflicts.

The integration of robotics and AI in the military marks a pivotal evolution in warfare, promising enhanced capabilities and new challenges for ethical and operational frameworks.