From sci-fi to reality: The rise of killer robots in warfare
As Western and NATO forces shift their focus to high-intensity warfare amid geopolitical tensions, there is an increasing emphasis on manned-unmanned teaming (MUM-T) in both land and air domains to enhance situational awareness and survivability. MUM-T involves the synchronized use of human operators or manned platforms with unmanned vehicles, robotics, and sensors to achieve these goals. Automation facilitates various MUM-T concepts, especially in military aviation, where it acts as a force multiplier and reduces risks to human assets. AI plays a vital role in analyzing battlefield data, providing visualization aids, and assisting with weapon targeting, ultimately supporting decision-making. The adoption of lethal autonomous weapons (LAWs), including AI-enhanced combat drones, raises ethical and regulatory concerns, but several countries remain committed to their development despite international debates on their use and potential misidentification of targets.