US and China must set rules before autonomous fighters cross paths

AI Summary

A 2022 close encounter between a Chinese J-11 fighter and a US RC-135 surveillance aircraft over the South China Sea remains disputed, with each side blaming the other. The article argues that the United States and China should establish rules for autonomous aircraft to reduce the risks of future encounters.

In December 2022, a Chinese J-11 fighter came within metres of a US RC-135 surveillance plane over the South China Sea, according to the US military, which criticised it as an unsafe manoeuvre. China, however, held the American crew responsible and claimed the RC-135 had suddenly veered towards the Chinese jet despite repeated warnings. Both sides released video footage, yet neither accepted the other’s account of the incident. This and other such close encounters involved human pilots. The next...