US MQ-9 Reaper Drone Loses Communication and Makes Emergency Landing in Poland

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A US military MQ-9 Reaper drone, equipped with autonomous capabilities, lost communication with its base during a training flight over Poland and was forced to make an emergency landing near Mirosławiec. No harm occurred, but the incident highlights the potential risks of AI-enabled military drone malfunctions.[AI generated]

Why's our monitor labelling this an incident or hazard?

The MQ-9 Reaper is an AI-enabled autonomous drone system. The loss of control and communication constitutes a malfunction or failure in the use of the AI system. Although no injury or damage has occurred yet, the event plausibly could lead to harm (e.g., crash causing injury or property damage). Therefore, this qualifies as an AI Hazard rather than an AI Incident, as the harm is potential but not realized.[AI generated]
AI principles
SafetyRobustness & digital security

Industries
Government, security, and defence

AI system task:
Goal-driven organisation


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