At this week’s Seapower Conversation on Autonomous Systems in the Russo-Ukraine war, Professor Don Brutzman discussed the innovative use of drones and commercial robotic technology to alter the nature of the battlefield in ways that have provided surprise advantages and challenges. 

He charted how research and education at NPS is already engaging with and informing this 21st century warfare, referencing several ongoing team projects. A few students briefed their research, including one team exploring the use of the Switchblade 600 drone in near-future combat scenarios. 

Brutzman noted the relevance of other NPS activities including NWSI’s Warfare Innovation Continuum, which is focused this year on integrated naval campaigning—a topic that specifically considers how the integration of robots and drones into naval units and formations might fundamentally change the character of war in the future. 

Brutzman also shared a bibliography of current resources on autonomous systems in the Russo-Ukraine war compiled by NPS librarian Greta Marlatt. It lists 11 completed student theses, 12 articles, and four reports and documents. Just as one example, a student thesis explores what the US Marine Corps stand-in forces can learn about Ukraine’s use of commercial satellite communications, including for autonomous system command and control.  

Review the whole collection here:  
https://calhoun.nps.edu/handle/10945/72311 

Our next Seapower Conversation in the series will cover the impact of decoys and deception in the war in Ukraine, presented by Dr. Chris Paul, the Shea U.S. Marine Corps Chair for Information. Join us on 15 November in Reed Hall 101 for the continuing conversation.