Requirements for Autonomous Unmanned Air Systems Set by Legal Issues
Abstract
Unmanned Air Systems (UAS) are an accepted part of the military inventory and it is anticipated that they will become more autonomous in the future. This paper examines the problem of raising autonomy levels whilst still meeting the requirements of the Laws of Armed Conflict (LOAC). A top-down approach is proposed, starting with LOAC and deriving requirements for more autonomous UAS. The method should ensure that technology developments to raise autonomy levels will have acceptable methods of use. It shows that fully autonomous weaponized systems may never be acceptable. The LOAC are used as capability requirements. Engineering requirements for autonomous UAS are derived from them. The next step in the systems engineering process requires an approach that turns qualitative criteria into quantitative ones. A three-component model of the human decision-making process is used to derive sub-system requirements and the essential technologies for autonomous generation of commands within a legal framework are identified. The implications for technology development are discussed. There is not an intention to develop fully autonomous weapon-carrying systems, but the techniques presented here should provide criteria to decide whether a command decision can be made autonomously or by a human.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 01, 2010
- Accession Number
- ADA546991
Entities
People
- Robin West
- Tony Gillespie
Organizations
- Defence Science and Technology Laboratory