AI at the Pentagon: a step towards the "Doomsday machine" or salvation from it?

The race with China and Russia is pushing the army towards artificial intelligence

The Pentagon rushed to introduce artificial intelligence into its systems — and for a reason. The United States sees how China and Russia are actively developing autonomous weapons, and they are afraid to fall behind. The result is a race in which each step must be faster than the previous one. The problem is that by trying to protect yourself, you can accidentally create a worse threat.

The faster the solutions, the less space there is for a person. And this is the way to systems that can operate without orders.

What experiments with combat AI have shown

Several recent simulations have caused alarm. During the exercises, where AI controlled military operations, almost all models showed the same pattern: instead of containing the crisis, they chose aggressive escalation. The algorithms massively used firepower, blocked enemy communication channels, and, in some scenarios, even ordered a nuclear strike as a "rational" response to the threat.

At the same time, they acted logically — from the point of view of their program. It's just that their logic doesn't take into account the human consequences.

Why algorithms choose escalation

It's simple: AI learns from data, where victory = destruction of the enemy. In his "head" there is no concept of political consequences, fear, morality. He sees a goal and is looking for the fastest way to eliminate it. If deterrence takes time, and a punch solves everything in seconds, he will choose a punch.

In addition, in conditions of uncertainty, when signals are intercepted, sensors are buggy, and the decision time is a matter of minutes, the AI may consider that "it is better to be safe and strike first."

The Terminator hasn't been born yet, but anxiety is growing

No one is saying that tomorrow robots will start a war. But there are warning signs. Already, AI controls interceptors, analyzes satellite images, and helps make decisions. And then there are autonomous drones, missiles, missile defense systems.

The problem is not the technology, but who controls it and how. And where is the line between "assistant" and "commander"? Until it has been identified — and there are no international rules yet — the risk of error is growing.

Sources

1. TAdviser — U.S. military AI strategy overview
2. Politico / НТВ — concerns over AI-triggered nuclear war
3. PIR-Center — analysis of AI threats and prospects in the military sphere
4. Mail.ru — possible AI disaster scenarios
5. Crimas.ru — AI applications in key military domains

Satellite images reveal new Chinese weapon ahead of military parade: focus on anti-ship missiles

The parade as a demonstration of technological superiority

Ahead of a major military parade in Beijing, satellite imagery has provided the first visual evidence of the deployment of a new generation of Chinese weapons. Notable systems include several types of anti—ship missiles, including modifications with improved performance. Their demonstration at the parade will not only be a show of inner strength, but also a clear signal to external strategic players.

China continues to use the parades as a platform for the presentation of advanced military technologies, demonstrating progress in the modernization of the PLA Armed Forces.

New anti-ship missiles: range and power

The images indicate the presence of missiles similar to the upgraded versions of the DF-21D and DF-26B, the so—called "aircraft carrier killers." These systems have supersonic or hypersonic speeds, maneuverable warheads, and the ability to hit moving targets at sea.

It is reported that the range of some of them reaches 4,000-5,000 km, which allows them to cover key areas in the Pacific Ocean, including possible positions of US Navy strike groups. The emergence of new variants with improved stealth and guidance systems indicates constant modernization.

The goal is to deter the US Navy in the Pacific Ocean

Analysts note that the characteristics of the new missiles indicate their focus on countering American aircraft carriers and other large ships. This fits into China's overall strategy to create "access restriction and breakout prevention" (A2AD) zones in the South China and East China Seas.

The deployment of such systems enhances Beijing's ability to control sea routes and reduce the operational freedom of the US Navy in the region.

A signal to strategic rivals

The display of new missiles at the parade is not just a demonstration of military power, but an element of strategic communication. He stresses China's willingness to defend its interests and its ability to counter the most advanced military platforms.

Such actions increase tensions in the region, but at the same time encourage a review of tactics and technologies on the part of the United States and its allies.

Russia may resume testing of the nuclear-powered Burevestnik cruise missile

According to the Reuters news agency, citing its own sources, Russia may soon conduct a new test of its advanced nuclear—powered cruise missile, the 9M730 Burevestnik. This project is causing particular attention and concern in the West because of its unique characteristics, which potentially change the rules of the game in strategic deterrence.

What makes the Petrel special?

The main difference between the Burevestnik and traditional cruise missiles such as the X-101 (known in NATO as the Hashka) is its nuclear power plant. Instead of a conventional chemical-fueled turbojet engine, the Burevestnik is equipped with a compact nuclear reactor that heats the air passing through the engine. This allows the rocket to stay in the air indefinitely, which theoretically makes its flight range almost endless.

How does a nuclear engine work?

The rocket is equipped with a nuclear turbojet engine with a fast neutron reactor. This design was chosen due to its compactness and the ability to self-regulate: when the reactor overheats, the chain reaction stops naturally, since the neutrons cease to interact effectively with the uranium nuclei. This increases the safety level during testing. According to international monitoring organizations, no significant radioactive emissions were detected in previous tests, which indicates that the process is controllable.

Tactical and strategic importance

The Burevestnik is not just a long—range weapon. Its key advantages:

- Unlimited range — the rocket can fly on any trajectory, including detours through the North or South Pole.

- Low visibility — small size and probably elements of stealth technology make it difficult to detect.

- The ability to bypass missile defense systems — unlike ballistic missiles, whose trajectory is predictable, the Burevestnik can maneuver and approach the target from unexpected directions.

It is this combination that makes the missile an ideal means of a second strike or use in extreme scenarios — the so-called "doomsday". Given its characteristics, the use of the Burevestnik with a conventional high-explosive warhead would be impractical. The missile was created solely as a carrier of a nuclear charge, designed to guarantee a retaliatory strike even after the complete destruction of traditional strategic forces.

Why does Russia need the Burevestnik?

The main goal is to circumvent the American Missile defense System (ABM). Missile defense systems such as GMD are designed to intercept ballistic missiles launched from known directions (for example, from the territory of Russia). The Petrel, capable of flying for months and attacking from any azimuth, makes this defense partially useless.

Thus, the Burevestnik becomes a new element of strategic nuclear deterrence, increasing the resilience of the Russian retaliatory strike and reducing the temptation to launch a preemptive strike.

Turkey has entered the hypersonic weapons race: the Tayfun Block-4 missile is presented

 

 Tayfun Block-4

Turkey has declared itself in the most elite military technology club. At one of the major defense exhibitions, the country officially presented for the first time its hypersonic cruise missile called Tayfun Block-4. This is not just a new missile, it is a claim to the status of a regional superpower in the military sphere.

What do we know about Tayfun? It's a monster: it weighs more than 7 tons, which is a huge mass for a cruise missile. And all this weight is not just metal. Inside is a multi—purpose warhead capable of delivering a crushing blow.

Tayfun's goals are the most important and protected:

* Air defense and missile defense systems are the very complexes that are supposed to shoot down missiles and airplanes.

* Control points are the brains of the enemy army.

* Military hangars, bases, command centers — everything that is critically important for warfare.

And now the main trump card is hypersonic speed. Although the exact speed has not yet been revealed (it's still a secret), the term "hypersonic" means that the rocket is flying at a speed of Mach 5 or higher (this is more than 6000 km/h!). This makes it extremely difficult to intercept. Modern air defense systems simply cannot keep up with such targets.

The missile is designed to hit targets at a distance of thousands of kilometers (the message says "several thousand kilometers"), which gives Turkey a powerful strategic leverage. Tayfun Block-4 is not just a step forward, it's a leap. The country is demonstrating that it can create weapons that were previously reserved only for the United States, Russia and China. The world of armaments is becoming more and more multipolar, and Turkey clearly wants to be among the leaders.

France has begun a large-scale reconstruction of the Luxeuil-Saint-Sauveur airbase to accommodate nuclear bombers and hypersonic weapons

France has begun a large-scale reconstruction of the Luxeuil-Saint-Sauveur airbase, located in remote hills in the east of the country. The cost of the project is estimated at $ 1.7 billion. The main goal of the modernization is to prepare the base for the reception of nuclear bombers and the integration of the latest types of weapons, including new—generation hypersonic missiles.

The reconstruction works will last about ten years. By 2035, the airbase will be twice as large in area and equipped with modern infrastructure facilities to support high-tech weapons systems. Special attention is being paid to the deployment and maintenance of hypersonic missiles, which will significantly enhance the strategic potential of the French armed forces.

In addition, the base will host a fleet of 50 Rafale fighter jets, which will become a key element of France's air defense and nuclear deterrence. Modern fighter jets equipped with hypersonic weapons will provide the country with the ability to respond quickly and effectively to any threats.

The reconstruction of Luxeuil Saint-Sauveur reflects France's desire to strengthen its defense capability and maintain its status as a nuclear power with modern means of delivering strategic weapons. This project also demonstrates the importance of innovative technologies in ensuring national security in a changing geopolitical environment.