Ethical Control of Unmanned Systems: Lifesaving/Lethal Scenarios for Naval Operations

Abstract

This research in Ethical Control of Unmanned Systems applies precepts of Network Optional Warfare (NOW) to develop a three-step Mission Execution Ontology (MEO) methodology for validating, simulating, and implementing mission orders for unmanned systems. First, mission orders are represented in ontologies that are understandable by humans and readable by machines. Next, the MEO is validated and tested for logical coherence using Semantic Web standards. The validated MEO is refined for implementation in simulation and visualization. This process is iterated until the MEO is ready for implementation. This methodology is applied to four Naval scenarios in order of increasing challenges that the operational environment and the adversary impose on the Human-Machine Team. The extent of challenge to Ethical Control in the scenarios is used to refine the MEO for the unmanned system. The research also considers Data-Centric Security and blockchain distributed ledger as enabling technologies for Ethical Control. Data-Centric Security is a combination of structured messaging, efficient compression, digital signature, and document encryption, in correct order, for round-trip messaging.

Open PDF

Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Dec 04, 2020
Accession Number
AD1118298

Entities

People

  • Curtis Blais
  • Donald P. Brutzman
  • Hsin-fu Wu

Organizations

  • Naval Postgraduate School

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Autonomy

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Aircrafts
  • Autonomous Weapons
  • Blockchain
  • Cognitive Systems Engineering
  • Command And Control
  • Computer Programming
  • Control Systems
  • Human-Machine Systems
  • Information Science
  • Naval Operations
  • Ontologies
  • Psychology
  • Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
  • Unmanned Maritime Systems
  • Unmanned Systems
  • Unmanned Underwater Vehicles
  • Unmanned Vehicles

Fields of Study

  • Computer science

Readers

  • Distributed Systems and Data Platform Development
  • Irregular Warfare and Special Operations Cyberspace Operations against Adversarial Threats.
  • Systems Analysis and Design

Technology Areas

  • Autonomy
  • Cyber