The proliferation of weapons-capable\u00a0drones around the world, to not only states but also non-state actors and even individuals,\u00a0raises difficult challenges for\u00a0crisis stability, escalation dynamics and norms regarding sovereignty violation. Small, fully autonomous GPS-programmable drones can be purchased online by anyone\u00a0for a few hundred dollars. Outfitted with small explosives, chemical or biological weapons, they could be converted into short-range\u00a0precision weapons.\u00a0In 2013,\u00a0China sent a drone into contested airspace in the East China Sea. In response, Japan scrambled manned fighter aircraft. If one nation shoots down another nation\u2019s drone, is that an act of war? Are states more willing to shoot down a drone, since there is no one on board? And are states more willing to engage in acts of brinkmanship with drones in the first place, since there is no human at risk?<\/p>\n
The answers to these questions hinge not principally on the technology itself, but how states and non-state actors will use the technology, and how they will perceive its use by themselves and others. Anticipating the likely contours of a drone-saturated world will help the U.S. government take steps today to influence, as best it can, the shape of a future most conducive to American interests. Proactive policy measures that can be taken now include: reform of export control policies, declaratory policies on hostile actions by other nations with drones, and communication and actions regarding expectations of appropriate drone use.<\/p>\n
A World of Proliferated Drones<\/em> is a joint project between CNAS\u2019 Technology and National Security Program and 20YY Warfare Initiative.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Entrepreneur Alert: Dromes Get ready for a drone-saturated world.\u00a0Over twenty nations have or are developing armed drones and many more possess unarmed drones, including non-state actors.\u00a0The Center for a New American Security (CNAS) project, A World of Proliferated Drones, will … Continue reading ![\"Drones\"](\"http:\/\/www.w-t-w.org\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/Drones.jpg\")
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