Brandon Schingh
The emergence of unmanned, autonomous technologies has fundamentally transformed modern warfare, pushing the boundaries of conventional and irregular military tactics. The integration of these technologies with artificial intelligence (AI) has amplified their impact, enhancing precision, adaptability, and strategic insight. This fusion not only redefines conflict but reshapes military doctrines, demanding new approaches to rules of engagement, surveillance, and precision-targeted strikes. As we grapple with these advancements, their implications echo across the global military landscape, creating opportunities and challenges in equal measure.
Evolution of Unmanned Systems
Over the last two decades, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), autonomous land vehicles, and unmanned maritime systems have transitioned from experimental concepts to essential tools of warfare. Their affordability, accessibility, and sophistication have driven widespread adoption by both state and non-state actors. This evolution reflects a paradigm shift where technological innovation and battlefield ingenuity intersect, redefining combat operations.
For example, improvised explosive devices (IEDs) once dominated unconventional tactics in Iraq and Afghanistan. Now, inexpensive commercial drones have taken center stage, exemplified by their extensive use in the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict. Ukrainian forces have repurposed these devices for reconnaissance, precision strikes, and direct engagement. In July 2024, a Ukrainian operator successfully used a commercial drone to destroy a Russian Mi-8 helicopter, highlighting the rapid evolution of these tools in asymmetric warfare.
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