Suchergebnisse

Drohnen mittlerer Flughöhe und langer Einsatzdauer entwickeln sich zu einem Bestandteil der regulären Luftstreitkräfte. Unklar ist allerdings noch das Ausmaß, in dem bemannte Flugzeuge durch solche "MALE-UAV" ersetzt werden (MALE = Medium Altitude, Long Endurance, UAV = Unmanned Aerial Vehicle). Deutschland steht derzeit vor der Entscheidung, mit welchen Mitteln die Luftwaffe mittelfristig (bis 2020) und langfristig (nach 2020) ausgestattet sein soll. Bei dieser Frage sind jenseits militärischer Erwägungen auch kooperations- und industriepolitische Aspekte zu berücksichtigen. Denn in Europa kann oder will kein einzelner Staat die finanziellen Mittel aufbringen, um ein nationales MALE-UAV-Modell zu entwickeln. Zwar hat die europäische Industrie bereits Forschungs- und Entwicklungsprojekte auf den Weg gebracht; doch die Regierungen sind noch nicht mit an Bord. Unklar ist ebenso, ob Drohnen künftig bewaffnet sein sollen. Seit geraumer Zeit wird diskutiert, inwiefern gezielte Tötungen verantwortbar und zulässig sind. Dagegen fehlt es bislang an einer grundsätzlichen Debatte darüber, welche ethischen Konsequenzen der Trend zur automatisierten Kriegsführung hat. Eine solche Auseinandersetzung ist aber dringend geboten, denn die Eigendynamik der technologischen Entwicklung birgt die Gefahr, dass der Mensch als moralischer Akteur abdankt, wenn über den Einsatz von Gewalt zu entscheiden ist. (Autorenreferat)

Medium altitude, long endurance drones are becoming a component of regular air forces. However, the extent to which manned aircraft are being replaced by such "MALE UAVs" (MALE = Medium Altitude, Long Endurance, UAV = Unmanned Aerial Vehicle) remains unclear. At present Germany is faced with determining with what means the Luftwaffe should be equipped in the medium term (up to 2020) and long-term (post-2020). Beyond military considerations, there are cooperation and industrial policy issues to be taken into account, since no one individual state in Europe can or wants to provide the financial means to develop a national MALE UAV model. Although European industry has already launched research and development projects, their governments are by no means on board. Likewise it is also unclear whether drones are to be armed in future. Discussion has been continuing for some time as to how far targeted killings are responsible and permissible. In contrast, no fundamental debate has so far taken place about what the ethical consequences are of the trend towards automated combat. Such a debate is now overdue and urgent, as the momentum of technological development conceals the danger that human beings may abdicate moral responsibility in decisions over the use of force. (author's abstract)

Medium altitude, long endurance drones are becoming a component of regular air forces. However, the extent to which manned aircraft are being replaced by such "MALE UAVs" (MALE = Medium Altitude, Long Endurance, UAV = Unmanned Aerial Vehicle) remains unclear. At present Germany is faced with determining with what means the Luftwaffe should be equipped in the medium term (up to 2020) and long-term (post-2020). Beyond military considerations, there are cooperation and industrial policy issues to be taken into account, since no one individual state in Europe can or wants to provide the financial means to develop a national MALE UAV model. Although European industry has already launched research and development projects, their governments are by no means on board. Likewise it is also unclear whether drones are to be armed in future. Discussion has been continuing for some time as to how far targeted killings are responsible and permissible. In contrast, no fundamental debate has so far taken place about what the ethical consequences are of the trend towards automated combat. Such a debate is now overdue and urgent, as the momentum of technological development conceals the danger that human beings may abdicate moral responsibility in decisions over the use of force

The drone threat is finally being taken seriously. Following the relentless devastation they have caused on the battlefield, combined with the endless ways they can threaten or disrupt civilian life—at airports, public events and jails, ...

Recent developments in conflict zones show the proliferation of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV) or combat drones and how they transform and shape new warfare. A rapidly growing literature examines UAV's performance and utilization by the first generation of drone producers and users like the U.S. and Israel. However, the acquisition, proliferation, and production of combat drones by middle and small states and how these new technologies are applied in warfare by these countries have attracted less attention. The paper explores Türkiye as a producer and active user of UAVs in conflicts in Africa and the Middle East and Azerbaijan as a small state that is a consumer of Turkish and Israeli drones. The paper argues that drones provide an advantage on the battlefield, increase precision in wars, and expand the methods used in wars against insurgency; however, the proliferation of drones simultaneously makes states prone to war and so increases the vulnerability of regional peace and security.