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Ex-Google CEO Eric Schmidt Is Working on a Secret Military Drone Project

forbes.com

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Re: Ex-Google CEO Eric Schmidt Is Working on a Secret Military Drone Project

#101

Post by el-dude-arino »

roenxi wrote: post #42
el-dude-arino wrote: post #14

Earlier quoted context omitted.

He's diddling the CEO of his main investment; Michelle Ritter of Steel Perlot. He's a fucking creep who got lucky and was in the right place at the right time, just like most tech oligarchs we all bow to, like Musk, Larry and Sergey, Zuckerberg, or Dorsey. https://www.forbes.com/sites/davidjeans/2023/10/23/eric-schm...

I'm identifying this as whinging without an actual complaint. Some people are lucky, and putting his girlfriend in charge of something is unimpressive but also unobjectionable in the main.

> unobjectionable

LOL, because it's totally not gross or a conflict of interest in any way. Keep licking those billionaire boots, I bet they taste like caviar.

Re: Ex-Google CEO Eric Schmidt Is Working on a Secret Military Drone Project

#102

Post by petre »

greedo wrote: post #98
rainworld wrote: post #82

Earlier quoted context omitted.

not been sufficiently trained FTA: In Mali they discovered a 10x breakdown rate compared to home in Germany. And that wasn’t even war. Also, they lack spare parts. The beauty of just-in-time logistics. Read up on how much of a typical NATO army is operational at a given (peace) time. '91 was a long time ago. Old Leopard 1 tanks would have been a better choice There goes “crew survived”. built for a different purpose:…

I'm not sure the issues with Leopard 2 tanks is indicative of quality, or more a reflection of how shallow the German military has become. And I agree with you that Leo 1 tanks aren't suitable. They have nice fire control systems, and good mobility, but their armor protection is terrible. The war in Ukraine is showing that the West is woefully unprepared for a major conflict. We saw signs of this with NATO air forces…

A year is too much for Ukraine. Russia has already bought 1M shells from North Korea that are on their way to the frontline. NK has promised to deliver another 10M in total. Let's just hope they're shit quality and that the promises are typical DPRK propaganda.

Also F16s for Ukraine is a questionable choice. Other than not being available, they need a good runway and are higher maintainance than the MiGs and Sukhois that the Ukrainians are used to. Also replacement parts need to be shipped (from the US?). The Saab Gripen is a more sensible choice for them: it can be housed in a barn and use a road to take off. No idea how many can Sweeden deliver and there are also political issues as well like Sweeden not being part of NATO yet.

Re: Ex-Google CEO Eric Schmidt Is Working on a Secret Military Drone Project

#103

Post by 4gotunameagain »

lavajava wrote: post #95
4gotunameagain wrote: post #36

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I'm curious as to what you found meaningful working for the defence industry ? Genuine question. I am asking because to me it does not seem like "defence" whatsoever.

This comment appears insincere in the context of your additional comments. Please keep the conversation civil.

It was very sincere. Please keep your directives to yourself, if they do not add anything to the discussion.

Re: Ex-Google CEO Eric Schmidt Is Working on a Secret Military Drone Project

#104

Post by roenxi »

el-dude-arino wrote: post #101
roenxi wrote: post #42

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I'm identifying this as whinging without an actual complaint. Some people are lucky, and putting his girlfriend in charge of something is unimpressive but also unobjectionable in the main.

> unobjectionable LOL, because it's totally not gross or a conflict of interest in any way. Keep licking those billionaire boots, I bet they taste like caviar.

I don't see it. Run me through how this is a conflict of interests; ie who is it in conflict with.

Forbes is suggesting he fronted all the money and put his girlfriend in charge. While I wouldn't call that the highest-success strategy, it doesn't seem like a conflict. Presumably she is competent enough and I don't see anyone involved complaining. Did I miss something in the article?

It isn't a conflict of interest to appoint someone close to you to be CEO. It might be nepotism (read: is), but if someone fronted $100 million to some group then they get to engage in a little nepotism if they think it is a good idea. It is like a small businessman installing his son as 2IC; it isn't a cerebral choice but it is unproblematic.

Re: Ex-Google CEO Eric Schmidt Is Working on a Secret Military Drone Project

#105

Post by helpfulContrib »

2OEH8eoCRo0 wrote: post #96
4gotunameagain wrote: post #93

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> I'd like my buddies to make it home safe. To make it home safe from some random overseas country the US decided it has interests in. Got it

I wouldn't call it random and Americans aren't the only ones who use things that I've worked on.

[dead]

Re: Ex-Google CEO Eric Schmidt Is Working on a Secret Military Drone Project

#106

Post by greedo »

petre wrote: post #102
greedo wrote: post #98

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I'm not sure the issues with Leopard 2 tanks is indicative of quality, or more a reflection of how shallow the German military has become. And I agree with you that Leo 1 tanks aren't suitable. They have nice fire control systems, and good mobility, but their armor protection is terrible. The war in Ukraine is showing that the West is woefully unprepared for a major conflict. We saw signs of this with NATO air forces…

A year is too much for Ukraine. Russia has already bought 1M shells from North Korea that are on their way to the frontline. NK has promised to deliver another 10M in total. Let's just hope they're shit quality and that the promises are typical DPRK propaganda. Also F16s for Ukraine is a questionable choice. Other than not being available, they need a good runway and are higher maintainance than the MiGs and Sukhois…

Ukraine can hold out until the West gets its production (of all systems) back in line with worldwide requirements. Russia has already received the 1M shells, and they are of poor quality. But even at a 50% failure rate, they've had an impact.

The F-16 is actually the best choice. There are multiple users worldwide, so lots of training facilities, lots of spare parts depots, and almost every NATO weapon is qualified on it. The Gripen would be great if it wasn't needed for a few years; the production rate is too slow to fulfill Ukraine's needs and the Swedes have no desire to send stock from their own air force. Can't blame them really. They've been cutting back on their military like the rest of Western Europe for decades.

Re: Ex-Google CEO Eric Schmidt Is Working on a Secret Military Drone Project

#107

Post by nerpderp82 »

dist-epoch wrote: post #76
adventured wrote: post #54

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The nation that can destroy (or otherwise severely impair) the drone manufacturing/supply/operation capabilities of the opponent, wins a war that heavily includes drones. That's assuming the drones matter that much, which hasn't been demonstrated yet. Drones have not shifted the balance of power in Ukraine v Russia for example. It's no different than blowing up any other kind of weapons supply. You stop the supply, t…

> Drones have not shifted the balance of power in Ukraine v Russia for example. Because both sides use them. They made armored attacks impossible for both sides. A tank is detected in 1 minute and destroyed in 10.

Drones will be the mustard gas of the mid 21st century. We haven't begun to see the massive casualties they will create. Think guided cluster munitions where every 100g payload finds a soft target and you launch 1-5k of them at a time.

The Ukraine war is already causing blowback as seen in Gaza.

We should make war itself illegal.

Re: Ex-Google CEO Eric Schmidt Is Working on a Secret Military Drone Project

#108

Post by [deleted] »

kaibee wrote: post #35
nerpderp82 wrote: post #26

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Which is why we should be halting the progression and use of the drones like we are seeing in Ukraine. No one wins a drone war.

A drone is just some electric motors, batteries, RF control and a gyroscope/accelerometer. I'm not exactly sure how you could halt the progression at this point.

[deleted]

Re: Ex-Google CEO Eric Schmidt Is Working on a Secret Military Drone Project

#109

Post by practicemaths »

cpursley wrote: post #83
greedo wrote: post #80

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I'm assuming you're asking in good faith: Patriot. NASAMs. SAMP-T and IRIS. All proving themselves at least as good as any Russian SAM system. ATACMS, GMLRS, HARM, Javelin, TOW, Gepard, PZH-2000, M-777, Paladin, SCALP/STORM, Bradley... The list goes on. Of course the Ukrainians are not being provided with enough equipment and munitions to actually win, but the equipment itself is dominating when used in even a close…

This is just a list of equipment, most of which Russia has equivalents of that are at least a match (or close enough).

Does Russia have access to said equipment in sufficient quantities?

Having stats in a spreadsheet is a lot different than what the tool is actually in the field.

i.e. equipment manufacturered to code, inspected, and maintenance schedules followed.

Re: Ex-Google CEO Eric Schmidt Is Working on a Secret Military Drone Project

#110

Post by greedo »

cpursley wrote: post #83
greedo wrote: post #80

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I'm assuming you're asking in good faith: Patriot. NASAMs. SAMP-T and IRIS. All proving themselves at least as good as any Russian SAM system. ATACMS, GMLRS, HARM, Javelin, TOW, Gepard, PZH-2000, M-777, Paladin, SCALP/STORM, Bradley... The list goes on. Of course the Ukrainians are not being provided with enough equipment and munitions to actually win, but the equipment itself is dominating when used in even a close…

This is just a list of equipment, most of which Russia has equivalents of that are at least a match (or close enough).

ATACMS and GMLRS don't have Russian equivalents that are worth a damn. Same with Javelin, PZH-2000, Paladin, and the cruise missiles I listed. And hell, the ancient Bradley is knocking out the latest Russian tanks with it's 25mm chain gun...
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