The media and trade shows are dominated by the latest unmanned and autonomous technologies. Does the rise in this potential shift to unmanned warfare across the land, air, and sea domains represent a revolution in military affairs? Why or why not? The world may be in the opening stages of another revolution in military affairs, spawned in large part by the ongoing information technology revolution. As with other technology revolutions, those militaries who take the initiative now to accelerate and exploit it could enjoy a military advantage over competitors who fail to keep pace.
If this shift to unmanned and autonomous warfare does represent the next revolution, the ability of the DoW to forestall exploitation of it by potential adversaries has to be well understood. This is particularly critical given the dual-use nature of these current and emerging commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) technologies and the massive challenges regarding technology control, protection, and diffusion to prospective adversaries.
- Allen, Jessica A., "Risky Acquisition: Overcoming Vulnerabilities in Commercial Technologies," AF Global College thesis, 2025, 43 pgs.
- Harrison, Todd and Col. Matthew Strohmeyer, "Commercial Space Remote Sensing and Its Role in National Security," CSIS brief, AFF paper, 2022, 19 pgs.
- Kwok, Frances, "Applications of 2D Materials for the Warfighter," SOS AUAR paper, 2021, 5 pgs.
-
Nilssen, Lars, "The Military Derivatives of the Boeing 707: How Existing Commercial Aircraft Can Meet Military Requirements," ACSC elective paper (Evolution of Airpower), 2019, 14 pgs.
- O'Connor, Capt. Austin, "Analyzing the Future: Commercial Solutions for the Big Data Problem," SOS AUAR, 2020, 8 pgs.
-
Reynolds, Rachel L., "Leapfrogs and Shortcuts: Paths to Technological Performance on US and Chinese Strategic Evolutionary Landscapes," SAASS thesis, 2020, 101 pgs.