Real war robots5/31/2023 ![]() A search of its internal database could mark the vehicle as a Russian MLRS system, a perimeter search could rule out the risk of collateral damage, and a preprogrammed rule of engagement algorithm could confirm the target was valid. For example, imagine an autonomous drone that identifies a Russian multiple launch rocket system (MLRS) preparing to fire dozens of rockets into a residential area. This speed can be the difference between destroying a high-value target and watching it safely flee while awaiting a fire order.įinally, LAWS are calm, calculating, unemotional, and unbiased in their decision making. They can also provide the speed of action that has been shown to be so critical on the ground in Ukraine, identifying a target and making a near-instantaneous execution decision without needing to send the information to a commander then wait for approval. The allure of LAWS is clear: They reduce the risk to forces and are easier to support logistically, since the requirements of keeping an operator safe can be complicated and costly. The killer robot age may have already dawned with barely a ripple of public recognition, and now, the United States must make some tough decisions: on its willingness to field LAWS, as well as the circumstances under which it will empower those systems to use lethal force. While most are still being tested, some are already in operation (such as in Libya in 2020). The United States and its allies and partners-in addition to their strategic competitors and adversaries-are researching and developing unmanned aerial systems and drones, as well as ground and underwater vehicles. Central to this fast-evolving domain are autonomous combat systems, officially known as lethal autonomous weapons systems (LAWS)-or, colloquially, “killer robots.” These uncrewed systems use artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) algorithms to autonomously identify and destroy a target. Warfare is evolving, and the evidence is mounting that a smarter, more agile force can decisively defeat a stronger adversary through the precise application of new technologies. ![]() During a recent disastrous Russian river crossing in the Donbas region, for instance, Kyiv’s forces were able use intelligence sources to identify, trap, and destroy an entire battalion. ![]() The current war in Ukraine is a stark example: While defending their nation against Russia’s invasion, the outnumbered and outgunned Ukrainians have used battlefield intelligence and pinpoint firepower to negate the numerical and qualitative advantages of the invading force. The battlefields of the future will be dominated by those who can best harness intelligence to rapidly and precisely maneuver against opponents. ![]()
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