Online Archive of University of Virginia Scholarship
AIAA HDI-25 Aircraft Design Unmanned Homeland Defense Interceptor; The Struggle Over Regulating Autonomous Weapons Systems115 views
Author
Ali, Agha, School of Engineering and Applied Science, University of Virginia
Advisors
Norton, Peter, EN-Engineering and Society, University of Virginia
Wylie, Caitlin, EN-Engineering and Society, University of Virginia
Ward, Thomas, EN-Mech & Aero Engr Dept, University of Virginia
Abstract
Lethal autonomous weapons systems (LAWS) and remotely piloted weapons systems (RPWS) remain unregulated; efforts to subject their use to international standards are controversial.
The research team developed a conceptual defensive RPWS. Using computer-aided design (CAD) and heady calculations, the team designed an aircraft body. The team tested the body for payload, sensor, and maneuvering capabilities in simulations. Results indicate that the design fulfills core defensive mission requirements. Fuel, as a consequence of speed, was the greatest limiting factor. The design demonstrates the feasibility of strictly defensive RPWSs.
Proposals to subject LAWS/RPWS to international regulations are controversial. As militaries develop such systems, proponents of regulation are divided over implications for human responsibility and the threshold to aggression. Consequently, global standards have failed to keep pace with the development and proliferation of such weapons systems.
School of Engineering and Applied Sciences
Bachelor of Science in Aerospace Engineering
Technical Advisor: Thomas Ward
STS Advisors: Peter D. Norton, Caitlin D. Wiley
Technical Team Members: William Couch, Eric Fryer, Savannah Hafer, Evan Hahn, Matthew Shin, Reid Smith, June Wiles, Nora Wilkerson
Language
English
Rights
All rights reserved (no additional license for public reuse)
Ali, Agha. AIAA HDI-25 Aircraft Design Unmanned Homeland Defense Interceptor; The Struggle Over Regulating Autonomous Weapons Systems. University of Virginia, School of Engineering and Applied Science, BS (Bachelor of Science), 2025-05-09, https://doi.org/10.18130/01ga-t708.
