The Role of Remotely Piloted Vehicles in Counterrorism: Legal, Ethical, and Moral Implications

Abstract

The use of remotely piloted vehicles, either in civilian or military roles, is highly controversial. Legal, ethical, and moral issues are hotly debated and argued by a broad continuum of advocates. Legal issues seem to revolve primarily around the basis of national self-defense vice international governance. The ethical and moral issues are more complicated. The efficiency of using remotely piloted vehicles is contrasted against the psychological impacts their use has upon the operators and society as a whole, as demonstrated by select researchers. The teachings of Jeremy Bentham and Immanuel Kant are briefly discussed as they relate to this particular endeavor. Once ethical and moral issues are settled, defining the Constitutional guidelines and restrictions for use against insurgents or rebellious factions that might include United States citizens will become easier to decide.