Cutting the Cord: Discrimination and Command Responsibility in Autonomous Lethal Weapons

Abstract

The focus of this research is to examine the relationship between target discrimination (TD) and command responsibility (CR) as the primary barrier to the lawful use of autonomous lethal weapons under jus in bello. This paper begins with a thesis followed by three main points regarding the relationship and dependencies between TD and CR in the context of autonomous lethal weapons. Discrete roles in air-to-air and Air Interdiction are described that may permit autonomous systems to meet or exceed human thresholds in target discrimination and commensurate risk, followed by two brief case studies in fratricide to illustrate the main points submitted. Ultimately this research concludes that there is clear potential for autonomous lethal weapons to follow objective legal decision trees to meet rules of engagement criteria for the application of lethal force.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Feb 13, 2014
Accession Number
AD1019163

Entities

People

  • Rob Trsek

Organizations

  • Air War College

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Air Platforms
  • Autonomy
  • C4I
  • Human Systems
  • Space
  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Air Force
  • Airborne Warning And Control System
  • Aircrafts
  • Artificial Intelligence
  • Autonomous Systems
  • Autonomous Weapons
  • Command And Control
  • Commercial Aircraft
  • Control Systems
  • Employment
  • Personnel Management
  • Psychology
  • United States
  • Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
  • Unmanned Systems
  • War Colleges
  • Warfare

Readers

  • Strategic Security Studies
  • Systems Analysis and Design
  • Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) Autonomous Capabilities and Mission Reconnaissance.

Technology Areas

  • Autonomy
  • Autonomy - UAVs