China is rapidly advancing its military capabilities with the goal of being able to invade Taiwan by 2027, according to Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall. In a discussion at a symposium, Kendall emphasized the threat posed by China’s growing technology edge, particularly in artificial intelligence, which could be a deciding factor in a potential conflict. Chinese President Xi Jinping has reportedly instructed the military to be ready for a conflict by 2027.
Kendall highlighted China’s focus on targeting American assets such as satellites, aircraft carriers, and command centers, as well as their technological advantage in areas like cruise missiles and hypersonic weapons. The U.S. and China are now engaged in a technological race rather than a traditional arms race, with microelectronics playing a crucial role in enhancing military capabilities.
Kendall discussed the application of AI in military operations, mentioning the Air Force’s Collaborative Combat Aircraft program, which uses AI agents for dogfighting scenarios. The importance of advancing breakthrough technologies and quickly translating them into practical applications was also emphasized.
Addressing the AI revolution, Arati Prabhakar from the White House Office of Science and Technology compared it to other transformative technologies like stealth and GPS. She stressed the need to not only conduct breakthrough research but also to rapidly integrate new technologies into military operations. Kendall highlighted the importance of combining specialized knowledge with broad applications to effectively leverage new technologies in warfare.
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