CHEMICAL/BIOLOGICAL-CAPABLE RPA THREATS AND NATIONAL SECURITY IMPLICATIONS
Abstract
The technological landscape of the 21st century is evolving at an ever-increasing pace. Autonomous remotely piloted aircrafts (RPAs) continue to become increasingly sophisticated in size, range, and capability. In addition, emerging micro and nano-technologies are exposing new potential threats in chemical and biological warfare (CBW) not possible just a few years earlier, opening the door to previously unthinkable potentials. Further still, existing chemical and biological treaties, widely adopted around the globe, do not adequately address these prospective and evolving threats, leaving room for potential exploitation by foreign players. The defense posture of the United States is not adequately prepared for the combined threat of todays cutting-edge advancements. Future national defense efforts must envelop critical vulnerabilities posed by emerging technologies in order to protect Americans and deter adversarial use of chemical and biological-capable RPAs. In order to stay ahead of these growing threats and to thwart would-be abusers of advanced technologies, the U.S. Government (USG) must consider changes to how it defends its own airspace. Both active and passive measures of defense with multi-dimensional capabilities are the best approach to achieving this objective. Additionally, modernization of individual protective equipment to align with the current operational environment, and modification to the international chemical and biological conventions must occur to address existing coverage gaps in an effort to keep pace with the ongoing advances of science and technology.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Feb 07, 2016
- Accession Number
- AD1037550
Entities
People
- Jason A. Lay
Organizations
- Air War College