Grounds for Discrimination: Autonomous Robot Weapons

Abstract

While autonomous weapons are not new, few of the ethical, legal or operational implications have been clearly identified and solved. In this section, we look at some of the legal aspects and the tactical implications that flow from them. The overriding need to limit collateral damage and avoid killing innocents means that the man-in-the-loop is vital, but is his increasing distance from the battlefield a disadvantage? UCAVs are a case in point and we look at them and the weapons they will carry in the future. We shall return to the subject in future issues.