Armed and dangerous? UAVs and U.S. security

Armed drones are making the headlines, especially in their role in targeted killings. In this report, RAND researchers stepped back and asked whether these weapons are transformative. The answer is no, though they offer significant capabilities to their users, especially in counterterrorism operatio...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Author: Davis, Lynn E.
Other Authors: McNerney, Michael J., Chow, James, Hamilton, Thomas
Format: eBook
Language:English
Published: Santa Monica, CA RAND 2014, [2014]
Series:RAND Corporation research report series
Subjects:
Online Access:
Collection: JSTOR Open Access Books - Collection details see MPG.ReNa
Description
Summary:Armed drones are making the headlines, especially in their role in targeted killings. In this report, RAND researchers stepped back and asked whether these weapons are transformative. The answer is no, though they offer significant capabilities to their users, especially in counterterrorism operations as has been the case for the United States. Will they proliferate? Yes, but upon a closer look at the types of systems, only a few rich countries will be in a position to develop the higher technology and longer range systems. U.S. adversaries and others will likely find weapons such as aircraft and air defenses more cost and militarily effective. Their proliferation will not create the kinds of global dangers that call for new arms control efforts, but the risks to regional stability cannot be dismissed entirely, as is the case of any conventional weapon. How the United States will use these weapons today and into the future will be important in shaping a broader set of international norms that discourage their misuse by others
Item Description:Caption title. - "RAND Corporation."
Physical Description:31 pages color illustrations, color maps
ISBN:9780833085887
0833085883