“There are humans controlling these things behind the scenes.”
For now. Fairly soon (before 2025), there will be autonomous similar robots, including autonomous fighter aircraft. They’ll operate at the “order” level. (Proceed to coordinate x, y. Interdict enemy aircraft within a twenty mile radius.)
“Since they will have lost any ability to fight,”
Hmmm, better check out how the Marines, for instance, work. Every soldier a rifleman.
“attack them. Skirt around the robots and find the humans. They won’t be far away”
Easily up to 300 miles. That’s quite a tactical advantage. There’s also nothing saying you can’t mix and match, say put robots on point and hold the humans in reserve for after contact. This will marry nicely with overall sensor fusion and small UAVs.
Robots have three key advantages. Instant training (even if autonomous), they don’t take 18 years to manufacture, and they are truly expendable.
“better check out how the Marines, for instance, work. Every soldier a rifleman.”
That’s more hype than reality.