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The Impacts of Proliferation and Autonomy of Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems on Security

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Proliferation of Weapons- and Dual-Use Technologies

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Abstract

Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) have become a regular part of military operations and civilian life since the early 2000s. The proliferation of drone technologies has led to reduced costs and increased accessibility for individuals, states, and non-state actors. While extensive research and commentary have been made on the impacts of high-end military drones, the literature is comparatively sparse on the impacts of small UAS. With the regulations for civilian drones set to be finalized shortly, the potential impacts of small UAS on safety, privacy, and security need to be understood to have the right regulatory framework in place. This chapter deals with estimating the projected impacts of small UAS proliferation and increased autonomy on security. A robust analysis is presented by evaluating the disruptive potential of national security in various scenarios by analyzing the current and future trends of drone technologies, regulations, threats, and other important variables. The framework provided lays the groundwork for further studies into the impact of small UAS on security and hopes to inform future usage, perception, and policy surrounding these systems.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, USA

    Tejas G. Puranik

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  1. Tejas G. Puranik
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Correspondence to Tejas G. Puranik .

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  1. Sam Nunn School of International Affairs, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, USA

    Margaret E. Kosal

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Puranik, T.G. (2021). The Impacts of Proliferation and Autonomy of Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems on Security. In: Kosal, M.E. (eds) Proliferation of Weapons- and Dual-Use Technologies. Advanced Sciences and Technologies for Security Applications. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-73655-2_4

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