The basic philosophy and strategies remain the same, but the days of Sun Tzu and Carl von Clausewitz are out of the window as the modern battlespace takes shape. Sure, there are still tactics like decoying, deception, and the element of surprise, but today SAM sites, mobile missile launchers, and anti-aircraft systems are some of the most sophisticated technology on the planet. But then again, so are our stealth fighters.

In fact, all of this may be new to you, but it is all too familiar to me from my upbringing as the son of a US Naval Aviator, Captain, and Squadron Commanding Officer. Therefore, I must thank my father for his many stories of his 250 combat missions in an A-4 in Vietnam while I was growing up. My father also taught me to fly in our family’s private plane, which fueled my fascination with aeronautics, and therefore my interest in all aircraft, including Unmanned Aerial Vehicles, or UAVs.

Today, it is fascinating how things have changed in that short period of 3 decades. And it has changed a lot since my grandfather (DK Winslow) made his research contributions working with the cutting-edge technologies of his time: Radar, Ultrasound, Infrared, Microwave, Acoustic Transducers, etc. with more than 70 research papers in total.

My brother is currently a C-130 Pilot Commanding in the USMC and therefore my thoughts on his safety and the safety of our nations are constant. The future of robotic warfare is coming next, and it’s coming fast, too. Robots killing robots and unmanned vehicles seeking out enemy fighters and killing them: High-tech warfare is as serious as ever, it’s just now the high-tech capabilities are out of this world.