Full article: https://cepa.org/article/the-challenges-posed-by-21st-century-warfare-and-autonomous-systems/

Gordon B. “Skip” Davis, Jr., a Non-resident Senior Fellow with the Transatlantic Defense and Security Program at the Center for European Policy Analysis (CEPA), and Lorenz Meier, Co-Founder and CEO of Auterion, discusses the increased use of autonomous systems in Ukraine and the need for NATO and its allies to better coordinate policies and capabilities to address challenges from these disruptive technologies.

• Russia’s war in Ukraine has seen increasing use of autonomous and uncrewed systems like drones for reconnaissance, targeting, and attacks. Both sides are using loitering munitions and coordinated drone swarms have demonstrated potential.
• This is accelerating development and widespread adoption of military drones at an unprecedented pace, presenting challenges and opportunities for capabilities.
• NATO is working to address challenges through plans to responsibly develop autonomy while protecting technological advantage. The US is focusing interagency work and decision-making for autonomous systems.
• However, more coordination is needed across NATO allies to meet challenges from these disruptive technologies.
• Key considerations include balancing cost/sophistication, commercial/military cooperation, incorporating systems into integrated defense, preparing for multi-domain use, and updating acquisition processes.
• Allies need new models for domain superiority with autonomous defenses, understand the defining role of software, and require changes to government acquisition to reflect evolutionary technology.