Geiß, Robin; Lahmann, Henning --- "Autonomous weapons systems: a paradigm shift for the law of armed conflict?" [2017] ELECD 1281; in Ohlin, David Jens (ed), "Research Handbook on Remote Warfare" (Edward Elgar Publishing, 2017) 371

Book Title: Research Handbook on Remote Warfare

Editor(s): Ohlin, David Jens

Publisher: Edward Elgar Publishing

ISBN (hard cover): 9781784716981

Section: Chapter 12

Section Title: Autonomous weapons systems: a paradigm shift for the law of armed conflict?

Author(s): Geiß, Robin; Lahmann, Henning

Number of pages: 34

Abstract/Description:

The development of autonomous weapons systems (AWS) is widely considered a genuine revolution in weapons technology and of military affairs. In the future, humans might only decide on the deployment of AWS in general, whereas the system itself controls all decisions necessary for the mission in question, including the decision to employ lethal force. To date, truly autonomous weapons systems do not yet exist. Some robotics engineers even doubt that such systems could ever be developed. However, the majority of experts believe that it is only a matter of time until such systems will be ready for deployment. The US Department of Defense has officially announced its intention to develop and put into service increasingly autonomous weapons systems before the year 2038. At the same time, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has rightly pointed out that, already today, different critical functions within existing weapons systems are carried out autonomously, that is, without human intervention. Taking into account such announcements by the United States and other nations, some pundits have expressed concerns regarding the threat of a newly revived arms race. It is expected that modern-day military necessity considerations alone will push states’ armed forces towards increasing the automation and autonomization of military technology. Considering today’s realities on the battlefield, it is increasingly problematic for the armed forces to keep up with the sheer amount of critical information to be processed and the demands for speedy decision-making and real-time reactions.