Military Robots and Drones: A Reference Handbook
This book provides an insightful introduction to the most important field of military innovation for the 21st century—robotic and drone weaponry.

For centuries, warring nations have sought to lower the risk to highly vulnerable humans on the battlefield, typically by providing protective armor, making soldiers' positions more difficult to detect, or by striking from locations safe from retaliation. Autonomous weaponry has now reached the point where robotic systems can perform some key tasks that previously required direct human involvement.

Military Robots and Drones: A Reference Handbook introduces the lay person to a highly specialized topic, providing the foundation necessary for further study in this field. Appropriate for high school and college-level students, as well as general readers with an interest in the topic, the author explains the many military applications of robotics as well as current limitations and disadvantages. The book also provides a general history of robotic warfare; examines key individuals, agencies, documents, and models; discusses controversies within the field of robotic and drone warfare, such as ethical considerations; and explains how increased reliance on robotics has affected the structure and strategy of the military.

1111523355
Military Robots and Drones: A Reference Handbook
This book provides an insightful introduction to the most important field of military innovation for the 21st century—robotic and drone weaponry.

For centuries, warring nations have sought to lower the risk to highly vulnerable humans on the battlefield, typically by providing protective armor, making soldiers' positions more difficult to detect, or by striking from locations safe from retaliation. Autonomous weaponry has now reached the point where robotic systems can perform some key tasks that previously required direct human involvement.

Military Robots and Drones: A Reference Handbook introduces the lay person to a highly specialized topic, providing the foundation necessary for further study in this field. Appropriate for high school and college-level students, as well as general readers with an interest in the topic, the author explains the many military applications of robotics as well as current limitations and disadvantages. The book also provides a general history of robotic warfare; examines key individuals, agencies, documents, and models; discusses controversies within the field of robotic and drone warfare, such as ethical considerations; and explains how increased reliance on robotics has affected the structure and strategy of the military.

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Military Robots and Drones: A Reference Handbook

Military Robots and Drones: A Reference Handbook

by Paul J. Springer
Military Robots and Drones: A Reference Handbook

Military Robots and Drones: A Reference Handbook

by Paul J. Springer

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Overview

This book provides an insightful introduction to the most important field of military innovation for the 21st century—robotic and drone weaponry.

For centuries, warring nations have sought to lower the risk to highly vulnerable humans on the battlefield, typically by providing protective armor, making soldiers' positions more difficult to detect, or by striking from locations safe from retaliation. Autonomous weaponry has now reached the point where robotic systems can perform some key tasks that previously required direct human involvement.

Military Robots and Drones: A Reference Handbook introduces the lay person to a highly specialized topic, providing the foundation necessary for further study in this field. Appropriate for high school and college-level students, as well as general readers with an interest in the topic, the author explains the many military applications of robotics as well as current limitations and disadvantages. The book also provides a general history of robotic warfare; examines key individuals, agencies, documents, and models; discusses controversies within the field of robotic and drone warfare, such as ethical considerations; and explains how increased reliance on robotics has affected the structure and strategy of the military.


Product Details

ISBN-13: 9781598847321
Publisher: Bloomsbury Academic
Publication date: 01/09/2013
Series: Contemporary World Issues
Pages: 297
Product dimensions: 5.90(w) x 9.10(h) x 1.20(d)

About the Author

Paul J. Springer, PhD, is assistant professor of comparative military studies at the Air Command and Staff College at Maxwell Air Force Base, Montgomery, AL. He previously taught at the United States Military Academy at West Point and Texas A&M University. Springer earned his doctorate at Texas A&M University in 2006, and authored America's Captives: Treatment of POWs from the Revolution to the War on Terror.

Table of Contents

Preface xi

1 Background and History 1

Defining Robots and Drones 1

Early Descriptions and Imagined Machines 5

Automata 6

Power Systems and Precedents 7

Industrial Robotics 9

World War II 11

Cold War Robotics 13

Robots in Popular Culture 16

Academic Centers 18

Fielding Military Robots 22

References 28

2 Problems and Controversies 31

Artificial Intelligence 31

Robots and Drones in Asymmetrical Wars 35

Mass Production and Specialty Design 37

Gold Plating and Requirements Creep 42

Special Vulnerabilities of Robotic Systems 45

Autonomous Robots and Lethal Force 49

Robots and the Laws of War 54

Integration of the Human-Machine Team 59

References 62

3 Worldwide Perspective 65

Europe 66

United Kingdom 67

France 71

Germany 74

Italy 77

Other European Countries 79

Asia 83

China 84

Russia 87

India 90

Pakistan 92

Japan 93

South Korea 93

Other Asian Countries 95

South Pacific Region 96

Middle East 99

Israel 99

Jordan 102

Turkey 103

Iran 103

UAE 104

North America 105

South America 106

Africa 107

Conclusion 109

References 110

4 Chronology 115

5 Biographical Sketches 139

Asimov, Isaac (1920-1992) 139

Brooks, Rodney (1954-) 140

Bush, George W. (1946-) 141

Cebrowski, Arthur (1942-2005) 143

Gates, Robert M. (1943-) 146

Greiner, Helen (1967-) 147

Kurzweil, Raymond (1948-) 149

McCarthy, John (1927-) 152

Minsky, Marvin (1927-) 154

Moravec, Hans (1948-) 155

Obama, Barack (1961-) 156

Panetta, Leon (1938-) 159

Reddy, Raj (1937-) 160

Simon, Herbert A. (1916-2001) 162

Turing, Alan (1912-1954) 163

Vaucanson, Jacques de (1709-1782) 166

Warwick, Kevin (1954-) 167

Whittaker, William "Red" (1948-) 170

Wilson, Daniel (1978-) 171

6 Data and Documents 173

BigDog 174

Dragon Eye 175

Dragon Runner 176

Fire Fly/Lightning Bug 177

Fire Scout 178

Gladiator 180

Global Hawk 181

MARCbot 184

MULE 185

PackBot 186

Pioneer 189

Predator 191

Raven 196

Reaper 198

ScanEagle 200

Shadow 202

TALON 203

Warrior 205

Documents 206

Missile Technology Control Regime 206

National Defense Authorization, Fiscal Year 2001 209

International Code of Conduct against Ballistic Missile Proliferation, 2002 210

Department of Defense Reports to Congress on Development and Utilization of Robotics and Unmanned Ground Vehicles, October 2006 214

U.S. Department of State Legal Advisor Harold Koh, Speech to the American Society of International Law Annual Conference, 2010 216

Aircraft Procurement Plan Fiscal Years (FY) 2012-2041, U.S. Air Force, 2011 218

Policy Options for Unmanned Aircraft Systems, Congressional Budget Office, 2011 219

References 221

7 Directory of Organizations 225

Government Agencies 225

Air Force Research Laboratory 225

Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) 226

Robotic Systems Joint Project Office 228

Research Organizations 229

Boston Dynamics 229

Carnegie Mellon University Robotics Institute 230

Foster-Miller Company 231

General Atomics 232

Honda Motor Company 234

iRobot Corporation 235

MTT Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory 237

RAND Corporation 238

Stanford Artificial Intelligence Laboratory (SAIL) 239

Defense Conglomerates 240

BAE Systems 240

Boeing 241

European Aeronautic Defence and Space Company 243

Lockheed Martin Corporation 244

Northrop Grumman Corporation 245

QinetiQ North America 246

Raytheon Company 247

8 Print and Nonprint Resources 249

Books and Articles 249

Journals, Bulletins, and Newsletters 265

Government Documents and Agency Publications 268

Web Sites 277

Glossary 279

Index 283

About the Author 297

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