Armed and dangerous?
Subtitle: UAVs and U.S. security
By: Lynn E. Davis, Michael J. McNerney, James Chow, Thomas Hamilton, Sarah Harting, and Daniel Byman
Contributors: McNerney, Michael J., author; Chow, James, author; Hamilton, Thomas, author; Harting, Sarah, author; Byman, Daniel, author; Rand Corporation; McNerney, Michael J. (Michael Joseph), author; Hamilton, Thomas (Physical scientist), author; Byman, Daniel, 1967- author
Series: Research report (Rand Corporation)
Publisher: RAND Corporation
Published: 2014
Place of publication: Santa Monica, CA]
Language: eng
Number of pages: 31
ISBN-13: 9780833085887
Subjects: Drone aircraft; Risk assessment; Technology; Military art and science; Technological innovations; Arms control; National security
Other titles: Armed and dangerous? :
Description: Armed drones are making the headlines, especially in their role in targeted killings. In this report, RAND researchers stepped back and asked whether these weapons are transformative. The answer is no, though they offer significant capabilities to their users, especially in counterterrorism operations as has been the case for the United States. Will they proliferate? Yes, but upon a closer look at the types of systems, only a few rich countries will be in a position to develop the higher technology and longer range systems. U.S. adversaries and others will likely find weapons such as aircraft and air defenses more cost and militarily effective. Their proliferation will not create the kinds of global dangers that call for new arms control efforts, but the risks to regional stability cannot be dismissed entirely, as is the case of any conventional weapon. How the United States will use these weapons today and into the future will be important in shaping a broader set of international norms that discourage their misuse by others.
Notes: Caption title.

"RAND Corporation research report series."--Web page (PDF).

"RR-449-RC."--Page 32.

"This report results from the RAND Corporation's Investment in People and Ideas program."--Page 32.

Includes bibliographical references (pages 26-30).