UAVs must be quipped with software to direct the aircraft to target. Suspect that there are nerds on Taiwan who just might know how to hack those guidance systems and redirect the aircraft.
UAVs that are intended to be used as single use expendable decoys don’t have to have any external command comm links. Basically a big fire and forget missile. No comm link, nothing to hack.
I don’t think China would care about accuracy too much.
Only a few would need to be accurate to metres. Being flying bombs otherwise.
That’s my first thought too, Alan-a-Dale.
I’m not sure these will have any remote control capability. While the author fantasizes about them being equipped for air to air and SEAD missions, I suspect they will be little more than decoys or missiles. The “Eurasian Times” is very low quality source.
The USAF has converted about 200 F-16s to QF-16 Drones. Before the F-16, they had F-4 drones, and before that F-100, F-102 and F-106 were modified as target drones. The QF-16 is as maneuverable as the F-16 and is flown by a pilot on the ground, up to four drones by a single pilot. It already carries chaff, flares and ECM/EA pods, and it wouldn’t surprise me if the USAF had already incorporated weapons. With the F-16 being “fly by wire”, it is much better suited as a drone than the J-6/7/8. Of course AI will be the real game changer in drone capability.
To hack, a system must be open.
Presumably, a drone would be programmed and go, with no recall.
Now, if it’s interactive, where people guide it, then yes, the CNC can be hacked.
That would be fun to watch the Chicoms hoisted by their own petards.