Russia's killer Lancet drone are running on US AI'

In the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, Russia's utilisation of the Lancet Kamikaze drone, which incorporates American AI technology, highlights complex global supply chain issues.

1. The drone, notably equipped with Nvidia’s Jetson TX2 module, is a critical example of how Western technology, specifically from the United States, ends up in military hardware used by other nations, a report in the Asia Times said.

Russia's Lancet Drone: Key Points

1. US AI in Russian Weaponry: Russia's Lancet kamikaze drone utilises American AI technology (Nvidia's Jetson TX2 module), highlighting complex global supply chains.
2. Western Tech in Foreign Military Hardware: This case shows how Western technology ends up in military equipment of other nations.
3. Global Manufacturing and Control Challenges: The global nature of manufacturing and the difficulty in controlling the end-use of exported tech components are underscored.
4. Geopolitical Implications: Despite regulations, critical components find their way into Russian military applications, posing a dilemma for US policymakers.
5. US Efforts to Counter Proliferation: Washington has taken steps to limit AI tech transfer to China, but the effectiveness is questionable.
6. Domestic Chip Manufacturing Boost: The Biden administration is boosting US chip production through the CHIPS Act, but immediate proliferation issues remain.
7. Urgent Concern: The use of US tech by adversaries in military conflicts requires urgent attention.

About Kamikaze drone:

1. These are small unmanned aircraft packed with explosives that can be flown directly at a tank or a group of troops that are destroyed when it hits the target and explodes.
2. These are also called Switchblade drones.
3. The name comes from the World War 2 era’s feared Japanese kamikaze pilots, who conducted suicide attacks by intentionally crashing their explosive filled aircraft into enemy targets.
4. Features:

1. The modern drone versions have the capability of surpassing traditional defences to strike their targets and are also cheaper than their larger counterparts.
2. The small lethal drones are difficult to detect on radar, and through the use of facial recognition, can be programmed to hit targets without human intervention.

5. Although the US Kamikaze might be the most advanced in this class of drones, Russia, China, Israel, Iran and Turkey all have some versions of it.

What is the Lancet-3 drone?

What is an explosive?

1. It is any substance or device that can be made to produce a volume of rapidly expanding gas in an extremely brief period. There are 3 fundamental types: mechanical, nuclear, and chemical.

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