DRONE, ROBOTS AND CYBER WARFARE BY - PALAK BANSAL
DRONE,
ROBOTS AND CYBER WARFARE
AUTHORED BY - PALAK BANSAL
ABSTARACT
Modern warfare has
undergone a revolution with the introduction of drones, robotics, and
cyberwarfare. This has presented military forces across the globe with new
problems and capabilities. With real-time data and imagery that help with
situational awareness and decision-making, these technologies have greatly
improved intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance capabilities.
Furthermore, by enabling pinpoint strikes on enemy targets, drones and robots
have reduced collateral damage and civilian casualties. The application of
sophisticated cyber capabilities in the field of cyberwarfare has made it
possible to launch focused attacks on adversary systems and infrastructure, impairing
their capacities and operations.
However, there are moral
and legal issues with the employment of robots, drones, and cyberwarfare. The
main concerns that need to be addressed are targeted killings, privacy rights,
weaponry autonomy, and civilian casualties. To allay these worries, adherence
to ethical standards, human rights doctrine, and international humanitarian law
is crucial.
INTRODUCTION
Cyberwarfare, robotics, and
drones are all essential parts of contemporary military and security plans.
Each contributes differently to the way that modern warfare is shaped.
Unmanned aerial vehicles,
or drones: Drones are pilotless aircraft that are controlled remotely by a
human operator. They can be applied to combat, surveillance, and reconnaissance
tasks. Some drones are now able to execute precise missile or bomb strikes,
demonstrating the rising sophistication of drone technology.
Robots: Robots are autonomous or semi-autonomous devices used in warfare that
are capable of carrying out a range of duties, including bomb disposal and
reconnaissance. They are able to function underwater, in the air, and on land.
Military robots are intended to lower hazards and improve human soldiers'
capabilities.
Cyberwarfare: Cyberwarfare
is the use of computer technology to attack or compromise an enemy's
information systems. This can involve propagating false information, breaking
into computer networks, or taking down vital infrastructure. Because
cyberwarfare may be used to target political, economic, and military interests,
it has become a major issue for governments everywhere.
Drones, robots, and cyberwarfare all symbolise how modern warfare is changing
and how technology is becoming more and more important. Although these tools
have the potential to improve military capabilities, they also bring up
difficult moral and tactical issues regarding the nature of conflict and the
use of force.
I. DEVELOPMENT
OF DRONES
Over the years, there has
been a tremendous evolution in the creation of unmanned aerial vehicles, or
drones. Drones have become into sophisticated instruments with a wide range of
uses since they were first employed for surveillance. Here is a quick synopsis
of their evolution:
Early History: The idea of drones was
initially introduced in the early 1900s. The earliest known application of an
unmanned aerial vehicle was during Austria's 1849 raid on Venice, when unmanned
balloons carrying explosives were used as weaponry. More useful advancements,
though, started to appear in the early 20th century.
World War I: Drone technology was
tested by the United States and the United Kingdom during the Great War.
Charles Kettering created the Kettering Bug, which is an early example. It was
an autonomous aircraft intended to deliver explosives to adversaries.
World War II: During the conflict, drone
usage grew, mostly for target practice and as decoys. The first UAV to be
mass-produced in history was the Radioplane OQ-2, which was developed in the
United States. In order to increase drone accuracy, actress and inventor Hedy
Lamarr created a radio guiding system, which she also contributed to drone
technology.
Cold War Era: Drone technology advanced
and drones were utilised for reconnaissance at this time. Drones such as the
AQM-34 Ryan Firebee, which was widely utilised for reconnaissance flights over
Vietnam, were created by the United States.
Modern Era: Drone technology has
advanced quickly in the modern era. Nowadays, drones are employed for many
different tasks, such as aerial photography, agriculture, disaster relief,
combat operations, monitoring, and reconnaissance.
Overall, the development of drones has been
driven by advancements in technology and the evolving needs of military and
civilian users. Drones have become an integral part of modern warfare and are
likely to continue to evolve as technology progresses.
TYPES OF
DRONES
Fixed-Wing Drones: Drones with fixed wings
are characterised by their hard structure and wings, which enable them to fly
for extended periods of time at great speeds. They are typically employed in
missions involving observation and reconnaissance.
Multirotor Drones: These drones are ideal for
tasks requiring hovering or low-speed flight, such aerial photography and
surveillance, because they feature many rotors and are very manoeuvrable.
Single-Rotor Helicopter Drones: Drones with a single big rotor and a
tail rotor, resembling classic helicopters, are known as single-rotor
helicopter drones. They are frequently employed in military and industrial
settings and are able to transport larger payloads.
Fixed-Wing Hybrid VTOL
Drones: Drones
that combine the efficiency and speed of fixed-wing aircraft with the vertical
takeoff and landing (VTOL) capabilities of multirotor drones are known as
fixed-wing hybrid drones. They work well for mapping and long-range
reconnaissance tasks.
Nano Drones: These drones are so tiny
and light that they can fit in your palm. They are typically employed in
missions involving surveillance and indoor reconnaissance.
Drones Powered by Sunlight: These drones have solar panels installed,
which enable them to use the sun's energy to recharge their batteries. They are
employed for long-duration missions and have the capacity for longer flight
durations.
Delivery Drones: These unmanned aerial
vehicles are engineered to transport goods, food, or medical supplies to
isolated or challenging-to-reach locations. Businesses like UPS and Amazon are
testing them for last-mile delivery.
Combat Drones: Also referred to as
unmanned combat aerial vehicles (UCAVs) or armed drones, these drones are
outfitted with weaponry for use in combat. They are employed in targeted
strikes, reconnaissance, and monitoring.
II. ROLE OF
ROBOTS IN WARFARE
Robots are essential to modern combat
because they have special qualities that improve military operations' efficacy
and security. Below is a summary of their responsibilities, with references to
more reading in the footnotes:
Patrol and Reconnaissance: Robots, such as drones,
are widely employed in patrol and reconnaissance operations. They are able to
acquire intelligence, track the activities of adversaries, and give commanders
real-time situational awareness.
Explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) robots are utilised
to securely get rid of dangerous chemicals and other improvised explosive
devices (IEDs). By enabling soldiers to manage risky circumstances remotely,
these robots contribute to their protection.
Logistics and Support: In difficult environments,
robots are employed for logistical duties including moving equipment, supplies,
and ammunition. They can also be utilised for supply runs to far-off or
unreachable locations.
Combat Operations: Unmanned ground vehicles
(UGVs) equipped with weapons are among the robots built specifically for use in
combat situations. By engaging enemy forces, delivering fire support, and
carrying out other offensive tasks, these robots lessen the danger to human
soldiers.
Medical Support: Wounded soldiers can be safely
removed from the battlefield by means of medical robots. They can even help in
field hospitals by carrying out simple medical procedures or supplying medical
supplies.
Communication and Jamming: Robots can be employed to
relay messages and obstruct communications from adversaries. They can interfere
with hostile command and control systems and support the upkeep of secure
communication links.6
Psychological Warfare: Certain robots, such
drones employed for intimidation or propaganda, are made specifically for
psychological warfare. These robots have the power to affect the attitudes and
actions of opposing forces.
III.
SAFE USE OF ROBOTS IN APPLICATIONS
Due to their same
foundation, the robotics platform and the standard computer systems platform share
many security concerns. The majority of the components that make up robotic
platforms are software and hardware. As general-purpose robots gain popularity,
numerous applications that let the robots do particular jobs also emerge.
For this reason, the robot
needs to be secured. While system security can be achieved through high-level
abstractions, privacy is a significant problem that can be addressed by
specific access control techniques. Privacy is guaranteed since people are
identified securely and privileges are assigned tiers. Certain software designs
have been suggested to guarantee robotic security. Policies for robots are
defined by high level abstractions. Web browser security has further
implications. System security may be achieved more simply if the framework's
major components are divided and a strict interface is defined between them. In
this instance, the intercomponent contacts will go via a shared message passing
interface that is transparent to the observer. The suggested architecture shown
in the illustration looks like a microkernel living in a thin layer of software that is in charge
of sending various messages. Robot abstractions, application abstractions, and
hardware-specific functionalities are implemented at the aforementioned layers.
The abstractions are utilised by the top-running programmes.
IV.
CYBER WARFARE
The term "cyber warfare" describes the
employment of malicious software, hacking, and other digital attacks to obtain
unauthorised access to computer networks, systems, or data, or to disrupt or
harm them. This type of warfare takes place online and can be directed on a
variety of targets, such as individuals, groups, governments, and the military.
Cyberwarfare can be used for sabotage, espionage, and influencing social or
political consequences, among other things.
Types of cyber warfare
A variety of techniques and
approaches are included in cyberwarfare, with the goal of impairing or harming
computer networks and systems. Typical forms of cyberwarfare include the following:
Attacks known as denial-of-service (DoS): In these attacks, a target
system is overloaded with traffic, rendering it inaccessible to authorised
users.
Distributed
denial-of-service (DDoS) similar to dos attacks are harder to fight against because they
originate from several sources.
Malware is malicious software that
aims to infect computers and cause harm or disable them. Ransomware, worms, and
viruses are a few examples.
Phishing: When someone impersonates
a reliable organisation in an attempt to deceive a user into divulging
important information, including credit card numbers or passwords.
Information warfare is the practice of using
technology to obtain a competitive edge over an adversary, frequently by
psychological warfare, deception, or propaganda.
Cyber Espionage: Often carried out by
nation-states or intelligence services, cyber tools are used to penetrate
target systems and obtain intelligence.
Sabotage: Intentional acts intended
to interfere with or harm computer networks, systems, or infrastructure,
frequently with the intention of causing harm to oneself or financial loss.
V.
IMPACT ON WARFARE CONFLICT
Robots, cyberwarfare, and
drones have all had a big impact on conflict and warfare, changing how battles
are fought and tactics are created. The following are some significant effects:
Enhanced Precision: By using sophisticated sensors and targeting systems,
drones and robots may carry out accurate attacks on adversary objectives,
minimising collateral damage and casualties among civilians.
Decreased Risk to Human
Soldiers: By
using robots and drones, military forces may carry out risky missions and engage
in combat without endangering the lives of their soldiers.
Improved Surveillance and Intelligence Gathering: Drones and robots can
collect intelligence in real time, track the movements of adversaries, and give
commanders situational awareness, which facilitates better decision-making.
Extended Reach: Robots and drones can
enter difficult-to-reach or dangerous-for-human-soldiers’ areas.
VI. EFFECT
ON MILITARY OPERATION OF ROBOTS DRONE AND YBER WARFARE
Robots and drones provide
real-time data and imagery for enhanced intelligence, surveillance, and
reconnaissance (ISR)—a process that enhances situational awareness and
decision-making.
The ability to hack and monitor adversary communications and networks is made
possible by cyber capabilities.
Precision and Targeted
Strikes:
Robots and drones are capable of carrying out targeted strikes on adversary
objectives with minimal collateral damage and casualties among civilians.
Cyberwarfare may precisely target and disable enemy capabilities by taking down
particular systems or infrastructure.
Logistics and Support: By utilising robots for
logistics jobs like equipment and supply transportation, the need on human
resources can be minimised.
In distant or difficult
areas, drones can support medical evacuation efforts and provide supplies.
Force Multiplier: Drones and robots augment human forces' capabilities,
enabling them to carry out operations more safely and effectively.
Cyberwarfare can impair the
enemy's capacity to respond by interfering with their communications,
logistics, and command and control systems.
Asymmetric Advantage: When confronting
asymmetric threats like guerrilla or insurgent organisations, militaries can
benefit from the use of drones, robots, and cyberwarfare.
They make it possible to react to unconventional warfare methods with more
agility and adaptability.
Psychological Effect: Adversaries may experience psychological effects
from the deployment of drones, robotics, and cyberwarfare that affect their
actions and choices.
Enemy morale and cohesion might be affected by the threat of being the target
of drones or cyberattacks.
VII.
ETHICAL AND LEGAL CONSIDERATION
Ethical and legal
considerations surrounding the use of drones, robots, and cyber warfare in
military operations are complex and have sparked debate among policymakers,
scholars, and the public. Here are some key points:
Civilian Casualties: One of the primary ethical
concerns is the potential for drones, robots, and cyber-attacks to cause
civilian casualties. The precision of these technologies can reduce collateral
damage compared to traditional warfare, but the risk remains.
Targeted Killings: The use
of drones for targeted killings, especially outside of traditional
battlefields, raises questions about due process, sovereignty, and the legality
of extrajudicial executions.
Autonomous Weapons: The development of
autonomous drones and robots capable of selecting and engaging targets without
human intervention raises ethical questions about accountability, control, and
the risk of unintended consequences.
Privacy: Drones and cyber
surveillance raise concerns about privacy rights, as they can be used for mass
surveillance and data collection without consent.
Cyber Attacks and
Proportionality: Cyber-attacks can have far-reaching consequences, including civilian
infrastructure and essential services. Ensuring that cyber-attacks are
proportionate to the military objective is a key ethical consideration.
Attribution and
Accountability: One of the challenges of cyber warfare is attributing attacks to
specific actors, which can complicate efforts to hold perpetrators accountable
under international law.
International Law: The use
of drones, robots, and cyber warfare is governed by international humanitarian
law, including the principles of distinction, proportionality, and military
necessity. Adhering to these principles is essential to avoid violations of
international law.
Human Rights: The use of drones, robots,
and cyber warfare can impact human rights, including the right to life, freedom
from torture, and privacy. Ensuring that these technologies are used in
accordance with human rights standards is a key ethical consideration.
Transparency and Oversight: Ensuring transparency and
oversight in the development and use of drones, robots, and cyber warfare
technologies is essential to address ethical concerns and maintain public
trust.
VIII.
CONCLUSION
In conclusion, the use of
robots, drones, and cyberwarfare in military operations has changed the character
of conflict and presented new difficulties for contemporary armies. These
technologies have lowered hazards to human soldiers and improved targeting
accuracy and efficacy as well as intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance
capabilities. However, its use presents moral and legal questions about things
like privacy rights, autonomous weaponry, targeted murders, and civilian
casualties.
It is necessary to
carefully analyse human rights concepts, international humanitarian law, and
ethical standards in order to address these concerns. In order to guarantee
that these technologies are used responsibly and in compliance with existing
legal frameworks, transparency, accountability, and supervision are crucial. It
is critical that decision-makers, military chiefs, and the general public have
educated conversations as technology develops.
Ronald C. Arkin, "The Role of Robots in
Future Warfare," IEEE Transactions on Robotics, 2009.
The Growing Significance of Robotics in
Military Operations: Robots on the Battlefield," Centre for a New American
Security, by Paul Scharre, 2015.
Strategic Studies Quarterly, "Military
Robotics: Latest Trends and Spatial Patterns of Diffusion," Michael E.
Miller, 2018.
Dorothy E. Denning, "Information Warfare
and Security," Addison-Wesley Professional, 1999.
Richard A. Clarke and Robert K. Knake,
"Cyber War: The Next Threat to National Security and What to Do About
It," Ecco, 2010.
