Overview

This book provides an insightful introduction to the most important field of military innovation for the 21st century—robotic and drone weaponry. For centuries, warring nations have sought to lower the risk to highly vulnerable humans on the battlefield, typically by providing protective armor, making soldiers' positions more difficult to detect, or by striking from locations safe from retaliation. Autonomous weaponry has now reached the point where robotic systems can perform some key tasks that previously required direct human involvement. Military Robots and Drones: A Reference Handbook introduces the lay person to a highly specialized topic, providing the foundation necessary for further study in this field. Appropriate for high school and college-level students, as well as general readers with an interest in the topic, the author explains the many military applications of robotics as well as current limitations and disadvantages. The book also provides a general history of robotic warfare; examines key individuals, agencies, documents, and models; discusses controversies within the field of robotic and drone warfare, such as ethical considerations; and explains how increased reliance on robotics has affected the structure and strategy of the military.

Full Product Details

Author:   Paul J. Springer (Air Command and Staff College, USA)
Publisher:   Bloomsbury Publishing Plc
Imprint:   ABC-CLIO
Dimensions:   Width: 15.20cm , Height: 2.80cm , Length: 22.90cm
Weight:   0.595kg
ISBN:  

9781598847321

ISBN 10:   1598847325
Pages:   312
Publication Date:   09 January 2013
Recommended Age:   From 7 to 17 years
Audience:   College/higher education ,  Tertiary & Higher Education
Format:   Hardback
Publisher's Status:   Active
Availability:   Manufactured on demand  
We will order this item for you from a manufactured on demand supplier.

Table of Contents

"Preface 1 Background and History Defining Robots and Drones Early Descriptions and Imagined Machines Automata Power Systems and Precedents Industrial Robotics World War II Cold War Robotics Robots in Popular Culture Academic Centers Fielding Military Robots References 2 Problems and Controversies Artificial Intelligence Robots and Drones in Asymmetrical Wars Mass Production and Specialty Design Gold Plating and Requirements Creep Special Vulnerabilities of Robotic Systems Autonomous Robots and Lethal Force Robots and the Laws of War Integration of the Human-Machine Team References 3 Worldwide Perspective Europe United Kingdom France Germany Italy Other European Countries Asia China Russia India Pakistan Japan South Korea Other Asian Countries South Pacific Region Middle East Israel Jordan Turkey Iran UAE North America South America Africa Conclusion References 4 Chronology 5 Biographical Sketches Asimov, Isaac (1920–1992) Brooks, Rodney (1954–) Bush, George W. (1946–) Cebrowski, Arthur (1942–2005) Gates, Robert M. (1943–) Greiner, Helen (1967–) Kurzweil, Raymond (1948–) McCarthy, John (1927–) Minsky, Marvin (1927–) Moravec, Hans (1948–) Obama, Barack (1961–) Panetta, Leon (1938–) Reddy, Raj (1937–) Simon, Herbert A. (1916–2001) Turing, Alan (1912–1954) Vaucanson, Jacques de (1709–1782) Warwick, Kevin (1954–) Whittaker, William ""Red"" (1948–) Wilson, Daniel (1978–) 6 Data and Documents BigDog Dragon Eye Dragon Runner Fire Fly/Lightning Bug Fire Scout Gladiator Global Hawk MARCbot MULE PackBot Pioneer Predator Raven Reaper ScanEagle Shadow TALON Warrior Documents Missile Technology Control Regime National Defense Authorization, Fiscal Year 2001 International Code of Conduct against Ballistic Missile Proliferation, 2002 Department of Defense Reports to Congress on Development and Utilization of Robotics and Unmanned Ground Vehicles, October 2006 U.S. Department of State Legal Advisor Harold Koh, Speech to the American Society of International Law Annual Conference, 2010 Aircraft Procurement Plan Fiscal Years (FY) 2012–2041, U.S. Air Force, 2011 Policy Options for Unmanned Aircraft Systems, Congressional Budget Office, 2011 References 7 Directory of Organizations Government Agencies Air Force Research Laboratory Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) Robotic Systems Joint Project Office Research Organizations Boston Dynamics Carnegie Mellon University Robotics Institute Foster-Miller Company General Atomics Honda Motor Company iRobot Corporation MIT Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory RAND Corporation Stanford Artificial Intelligence Laboratory (SAIL) Defense Conglomerates BAE Systems Boeing European Aeronautic Defence and Space Company Lockheed Martin Corporation Northrop Grumman Corporation QinetiQ North America Raytheon Company 8 Print and Nonprint Resources Books and Articles Journals, Bulletins, and Newsletters Government Documents and Agency Publications Web Sites Glossary Index About the Author"

Reviews

Military Robots and Drones: A Reference Handbook provides a high-level overview of the background and current trends affecting two types of mechanical devices used in combat and non-combat settings: robots . . . and drones. . . . [T]his work serves as a useful introduction to the topic and a guide to current literature. - Reference Reviews Providing a basic overview, this easy-to-use handbook is a good introduction to the topic. - Choice Extensive references at the end of most chapters make this a valuable resource for those readers interested in greater study. As a reference for high school students and up, this book is an excellent starting point for anyone interested in modern military robotics, especially on the technological capabilities of contemporary mechanization. - Booklist This is a fine collection on a subject where available sources are scarce. - ARBA

<p> Extensive references at the end of most chapters make this a valuable resource for those readers interested in greater study. As a reference for high school students and up, this book is an excellent starting point for anyone interested in modern military robotics, especially on the technological capabilities of contemporary mechanization. - <p>Booklist

This is a fine collection on a subject where available sources are scarce. - ARBA Extensive references at the end of most chapters make this a valuable resource for those readers interested in greater study. As a reference for high school students and up, this book is an excellent starting point for anyone interested in modern military robotics, especially on the technological capabilities of contemporary mechanization. - Booklist Providing a basic overview, this easy-to-use handbook is a good introduction to the topic. - Choice

Author Information

Paul J. Springer, PhD, is assistant professor of comparative military studies at the Air Command and Staff College at Maxwell Air Force Base, Montgomery, AL. He previously taught at the United States Military Academy at West Point and Texas A&M University. Springer earned his doctorate at Texas A&M University in 2006, and authored America's Captives: Treatment of POWs from the Revolution to the War on Terror.

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