Autonomous Weapon Systems: A Brief Survey of Developmental, Operational, Legal, and Ethical Issues (The LeTort Papers) (Paperback)

Autonomous Weapon Systems: A Brief Survey of Developmental, Operational, Legal, and Ethical Issues (The LeTort Papers) By M.A. Caton, Jeffrey L., Strategic Studies Institute (U.S.) (Editor), Army War College (U.S.) (Producer), Jr. Lovelace, Douglas C. (Foreword by) Cover Image
Email or call for price

Description


What does the Department of Defense hope to gain from the use of autonomous weapon systems (AWS)? This Letort Paper explores a diverse set of complex issues related to the developmental, operational, legal, and ethical aspects of AWS. It explores the recent history of the development and integration of autonomous and semi-autonomous systems into traditional military operations. It examines anticipated expansion of these roles in the near future as well as outlines international efforts to provide a context for the use of the systems by the United States. As these topics are well-documented in many sources, this Paper serves as a primer for current and future AWS operations to provide senior policymakers, decisionmakers, military leaders, and their respective staffs an overall appreciation of existing capabilities and the challenges, opportunities, and risks associated with the use of AWS across the range of military operations. Emphasis is added to missions and systems that include the use of deadly force.

AUDIENCE:  This paper serves as a primer for current and future autonomous weapon system (AWS) operations to provide senior policymakers, decision-makers, military leaders and their respective staffs an overall appreciation for existing capabilities and the challenges, opportunities, and risks associated with AWS across the range of military operations. Emphasis is added to missions that include the use of deadly force.  Additionally defense contractors and technology manufacturers may be interested in this work.

Related products:

Arms Control History collection is available here: https://bookstore.gpo.gov/catalog/us-military-history/arms-control-history

Arms & Weapons resources collection can be found here: https://bookstore.gpo.gov/catalog/security-defense-law-enforcement/arms-weapons






 

About the Author


ABOUT THE AUTHOR
 
JEFFREY L. CATON is President of Kepler Strategies LLC, Carlisle, Pennsylvania, a veteran-owned small business specializing in national security, cyberspace theory, and aerospace technology. He is also an Intermittent Professor of Program Management with Defense Acquisition University. From 2007-12, he served on the U.S. Army War College faculty including Associate Professor of Cyberspace Operations and Defense Transformation Chair. Over the past 7 years, Mr. Caton has presented lectures on cyberspace and space issues related to international security in the United States, Sweden, the United Kingdom, Estonia, Kazakhstan, and the Czech Republic supporting programs such as the Partnership for Peace Consortium and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization Cooperative Cyber Defence Center of Excellence. He served 28 years in the U.S. Air Force working in engineering, space operations, joint operations, and foreign military sales including command at the squadron and group level.  His current work includes research on cyberspace and autonomous weapons issues as part of the External Research Associates Program of the Strategic Studies Institute, U.S. Army War College. Mr. Caton is also a member of the Editorial Board for Parameters magazine. Mr. Caton holds a bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering from the University of Virginia, a master’s degree in aeronautical engineering from the Air Force Institute of Technology, and a master’s degree in strategic studies from the Air War College.
 


Product Details
ISBN: 9781584877189
ISBN-10: 1584877189
Publisher: Department of the Army
Publication Date: March 31st, 2016
Pages: 115
Language: English
Series: The LeTort Papers