Counter Unmanned Autonomous Systems (CUAxS): Priorities. Policy. Future Capabilities

Abstract

Counter Unmanned Autonomous Systems (CUAxS): Priorities. Policy. Future Capabilities is a recent publication summarising the CUAxS project led by the ACT in the years 2015-2016 as part of the Multinational Capability Development Campaign (MCDC).

The document provides an overview of the CUAxS project execution and priority findings. Apart from terminology, it introduces the capabilities of various UAxS, considering protective measures and countermeasure options against them. An introduction to levels of autonomy is followed by a speculative discussion covering the main challenges and possible impacts of UAxS on command and control systems. In addition to this publication, three products were developed to document the CUAxS project in greater detail, including: • Study Report: UAxS in the Future – Evolving technology, Operational Implications and Opportunities; • Future Concept on Counter-UAxS (DOTMPLFI); and • Review of national practices of new technology/system review and supplemental analysis.

All these conceptual findings and reports from the various experiments are published on the NATO Transnet CDE365 portal, and are available from the MCDC Secretariat upon request.

Keywords: Autonomy, Unmanned Autonomous Systems, Level of Autonomy, Countering Unmanned Autonomous Systems