The decline of the military ethos and profession of arms : an argument against autonomous lethal engagements / by Michael R. Contratto.

Format:

Book

Government document

Author/Creator:

Contratto, Michael R., author.

Contributor:

Air University (U.S.). Air War College, issuing body.

Series:

Maxwell paper (Air University (U.S.). Air War College) ; no. 62.

Maxwell paper ; no. 62

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Military robots--Moral and ethical aspects.

Military robots.

Autonomous robots--Moral and ethical aspects.

Autonomous robots.

War--Moral and ethical aspects.

War.

Military ethics.

Genre:

Online resources.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (40 pages).

Other Title:

Argument against autonomous lethal engagements

Place of Publication:

Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama : Air War College, 2012.

Summary:

Throughout history many new weapon technologies have been introduced into combat prior to a full evaluation or understanding of the doctrinal, legal, and ethical implications of their use. Similarly, today's battlespace is witnessing the introduction of numerous robotic systems to conduct many military missions. Thus far these robots still operate with humans directly in the loop of the decision process, especially when that loop is part of an offensive kill chain. The future battlespace, if we allow it, will be quite different. While the exact year is still in doubt, the capability for robotic autonomous lethal engagements (ALEs) will eventually exist. What are the key military ethical issues of totally removing the human from the loop of offensive kill chains? ALE is the application of lethal force by a robotic or computer system that relies solely upon its own internal programming and capabilities to conduct and execute all elements of the kill chain. A very futuristic ALE scenario is introduced here. The year is 20XX and as tensions between BadGuyLand and the United States are on the rise, a U.S. remotely piloted aircraft (RPA) conducts a covert operation over a military installation that is home to 10,000 ground combat troops of the potential enemy. Over the base the RPA releases 2,000 lethal nanorobots that bury themselves in the dirt and go into a dormant mode. U.S. intelligence services have gained access to the genetic database of the enemy's soldiers and the nanorobots are programmed with this information, which allows them to take a quick DNA sample and validate it before taking lethal action. Six months later, the United States formally declares war on BadGuyLand and, as the enemy ground troops mobilize for deployment, activates 1,000 of the nanorobots, which complete their mission and kill 1,000 soldiers. The United States promises more of the same within the next hour, which causes BadGuyLand to sue for peace.

Notes:

"October 2012."

At head of title: Air War College, Air University.

Includes bibliographical references (pages 24-40).

Online resource; title from PDF title page (DTIC, viewed on September 10, 2015).

OCLC:

872724826