From RQ-170 Sentinel to Shahed to LUCAS: War for Cheap Drones Comes Full Circle | Times of India
(timesofindia.indiatimes.com)
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This aspect was mentioned in recent days on a podcast. Researching further, I realized this had been (probably, barring the Mandela effect) something I heard when it originally happened but completely forgot about in the decade plus since.
Searching this site, it was mentioned by AlfredicEnglishRules three years ago in context of Russia/Ukraine - https://kotakuinaction2.win/p/16ZqYqpnVA/russia-using-us-drone-tech-in-uk/c/
The irony shouldn't be lost on anyone where the U.S. is behind on modern warfare despite massive spending due to private contractors emphasizing profits, to the extent of willing handcrafting various anti-defense missiles over bulk manufacturing...
Related, though it is the New York Times courtesy of RT:
The issue isn't that contractors emphasize profits, it's that the US Government doesn't emphasize results. The government's solution is typically throwing more money at the problem and the contractors know it so they purposely fail to achieve results so they get more money. The solution would be paying procurement contractors based on results rather than guaranteed payment and introducing more competition.
Yes, I don't disagree with that sentiment; I don't think anyone on this forum does either.
The intentional governmental bureaucracy is implicit; it's not meant to be an anti-capitalist comment or anything, especially since these are monopolies, just marveling at the synergistic, extremely cynical sodomy performed on tax payers.
Actual point being U.S. super secret tech being hijacked and reverse engineered by Iran circa 2011 & 2012, which was then improved by Russians in coordination with Iranians, and then only come full circle by America this year.
Modern articles tend to be about the U.S. reverse engineering the Shaheds while ignoring the past.
It's good to feel useful. Thank you.
I'm actually compiling as many links as I can right now because I am getting a new phone and all the links are on tabs on my old phone. It's a bit daunting since I have 2,200+. I have figured out a method to make it easier, but my goodness that's a lot.
I think that's why AI is costing so much. It's not the personal or even company use, but the government contracts. Elon Musk said a few months back that even he is amazed how many things he's invested in are starting to work together.