Are Drone Swarms Weapons of Mass Destruction?

By Zachary Kallenborn

Public discussion has raised significant fears over armed drone swarmsbeing used in a manner like weapons of mass destruction (WMDs). However, should they be considered WMDs? The first half of the article explores the questionof comparing drone swarms to various conceptions of WMD. Overall, it finds thata subset of drone swarms, armed fully autonomous drone swarms (AFADS), areWMD. The second half examines the potential of drone swarms to serve intraditional WMD roles. Although drone swarms could be effective mass casualtyweapons, they are likely to be a poor strategic deterrent. Drone swarms could be auseful anti-access/area-denial or assassination weapon in some contexts. The studyhas broad conceptual, legal, and policy implications. If drone swarms are WMD, then various international treaties apply, their use may justify military interventionin conflict, and new nonproliferation treaties should be developed.Zachary Kallenborn is a senior consultant at ABS Group specializing inunmanned systems (swarms), WMD terrorism, and WMD warfare writ large. Hisresearch has been published in the Nonproliferation Review, Studies in Conflict andTerrorism, Defense One, War on the Rocks, and other outlets. This articlerepresents the personal views of the author and do not necessarily represent theviews of any current or past employer or funder.The author is grateful to Philipp C. Bleek, Tony Barrett, Andrew Ross, Stuart Russell, and Russell Vane for providing invaluable feedback. Any errors arethe author's o

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: B08BWBV7G7
• ISBN13: 9798656985840
• Release Date: January 1
• Publisher: Independently Published
• Length: 48 Pages
• Weight: 0.30 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.1" x 8.5"