Autonomous Military Systems

35 Results

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Research

Sep 29, 2026

Novel effectors: Implications for strategic stability of hypersonics, directed-energy weapons, cyber, electromagnetic and autonomous effectors

This project examines how maturing novel effectors, including hypersonics, directed energy, cyber, electromagnetic and autonomous systems, affect strategic stability, international governance and the United Kingdom's strategic position.
Expert Insights

Aug 13, 2026

Exploring AI’s Operational Implications in a Future U.S.-China Conflict: Initial Observations from the Camp(ai)gn Wargame

The wargame Camp(ai)gn explores the military implications of artificial intelligence. This paper presents gameplay observations about how autonomous systems might shape the character of conflict, logic of escalation, and choices facing commanders.
Research

Jul 9, 2026

Do Robots Lure Us to War? The Impact of the Robotic Revolution on the Propensity for Armed Conflict

The author developed a framework to understand the decision space for the use of force in the presence of emerging technology and applied it to autonomous weapons systems.
Research

May 29, 2026

Strategic Implications of Deploying Artificial Intelligence in Defence

Examines strategic implications of AI in defence, analyzing how AI could shift the offence-defence balance, accelerate proliferation, empower non-state actors, and intensify great power competition.
Expert Insights

Apr 24, 2026

Realizing the Promise of the Drone Revolution: Crosscutting Insights from RAND Research for the U.S. Department of War's Drone Dominance Efforts and Beyond

This paper highlights key technological and other trends driving the drone revolution in the military and civilian sectors. The authors outline obstacles and next steps that the U.S. Department of War can take to leverage these developments.
Research

Jan 22, 2026

How Artificial Intelligence Could Reshape Four Essential Competitions in Future Warfare

The authors offer a conceptual framework and preliminary assessment of how artificial intelligence could affect four “building block” competitions in military affairs.
Research

Dec 8, 2025

Invisible defender? Opportunities and challenges for integrating DEWs into Ukraine's C-UAS framework

DEWs offer low-cost, precise counters to UAVs via HELs (light beams) and HPMs (microwave bursts). Despite global R&D, TRLs vary widely, costs and constraints remain high. Ukraine should avoid near-term DEW investment; systems aren't scalable yet.
Research

Nov 10, 2025

Learning and remembering under fire: Proposals for a novel doctrinal system for Ukraine

This report examines doctrine and technology for Ukraine. It examines the role of doctrine for militaries and how other countries use doctrine, and ends with recommendations for action to create a doctrinal system suited for Ukraine's purposes.
Research

Aug 12, 2025

The People's Liberation Army's Approach to Manned-Unmanned Teaming: Theory and Practice

This analysis of publicly available information on Chinese perspectives of manned-unmanned teaming (MUM-T) in air combat can inform U.S. Department of the Air Force leaders and strategists as they develop advanced U.S. MUM-T warfighting concepts.
Commentary

Jun 23, 2025

A Swarm at Sea: Supplying Troops with On-Demand Autonomous Watercraft

Using low-cost, rapidly built, small autonomous surface vessels to deliver supplies would be a less vulnerable and more scalable method than relying on large, mostly unarmed, civilian-crewed ships. This approach could provide advanced logistics that are difficult for U.S. adversaries to counter.
Research

Jun 12, 2025

The US Navy's Uncrewed Future

The emergence of increasingly capable uncrewed technologies may help make the navies of the mid-21st century more effective and risk-tolerant, enabling them to secure the peace for decades to come.
Research

May 22, 2025

Dispersed, Disguised, and Degradable: The Implications of the Fighting in Ukraine for Future U.S.-Involved Conflicts

Current conflicts offer insights into how future wars might be fought. This report describes eight novel or notable observations about the Russia-Ukraine war and summarizes their relevance to hypothetical U.S.-involved wars with near-peer opponents.

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Autonomous Military Systems

Autonomous Military Systems

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How Could Artificial Intelligence Shape the Future of War?

How Uncrewed Vehicles Could Enhance U.S. Navy Capabilities

Explore RAND’s Work on this Topic

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Novel effectors: Implications for strategic stability of hypersonics, directed-energy weapons, cyber, electromagnetic and autonomous effectors

Exploring AI’s Operational Implications in a Future U.S.-China Conflict: Initial Observations from the Camp(ai)gn Wargame

Do Robots Lure Us to War? The Impact of the Robotic Revolution on the Propensity for Armed Conflict

Strategic Implications of Deploying Artificial Intelligence in Defence

Realizing the Promise of the Drone Revolution: Crosscutting Insights from RAND Research for the U.S. Department of War's Drone Dominance Efforts and Beyond

How Artificial Intelligence Could Reshape Four Essential Competitions in Future Warfare

Invisible defender? Opportunities and challenges for integrating DEWs into Ukraine's C-UAS framework

Learning and remembering under fire: Proposals for a novel doctrinal system for Ukraine

The People's Liberation Army's Approach to Manned-Unmanned Teaming: Theory and Practice

A Swarm at Sea: Supplying Troops with On-Demand Autonomous Watercraft

The US Navy's Uncrewed Future

Dispersed, Disguised, and Degradable: The Implications of the Fighting in Ukraine for Future U.S.-Involved Conflicts

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Autonomous Military Systems

Autonomous Military Systems

Related Topics

How Could Artificial Intelligence Shape the Future of War?

How Uncrewed Vehicles Could Enhance U.S. Navy Capabilities

Explore RAND’s Work on this Topic

Error

Novel effectors: Implications for strategic stability of hypersonics, directed-energy weapons, cyber, electromagnetic and autonomous effectors

Exploring AI’s Operational Implications in a Future U.S.-China Conflict: Initial Observations from the Camp(ai)gn Wargame

Do Robots Lure Us to War? The Impact of the Robotic Revolution on the Propensity for Armed Conflict

Strategic Implications of Deploying Artificial Intelligence in Defence

Realizing the Promise of the Drone Revolution: Crosscutting Insights from RAND Research for the U.S. Department of War's Drone Dominance Efforts and Beyond

How Artificial Intelligence Could Reshape Four Essential Competitions in Future Warfare

Invisible defender? Opportunities and challenges for integrating DEWs into Ukraine's C-UAS framework

Learning and remembering under fire: Proposals for a novel doctrinal system for Ukraine

The People's Liberation Army's Approach to Manned-Unmanned Teaming: Theory and Practice

A Swarm at Sea: Supplying Troops with On-Demand Autonomous Watercraft

The US Navy's Uncrewed Future

Dispersed, Disguised, and Degradable: The Implications of the Fighting in Ukraine for Future U.S.-Involved Conflicts

Oops! An unexpected error has occurred.