Armed and Dangerous?, UAVs and U.S. Security

Author

McNerney; Michael J. ; Davis; Lynn E. ; Harting; Sarah ; Hamilton; Thomas ; Chow; James S.

Year

2014

Publisher

RAND Corporation

Language

English

Pages

ISBN

978-0-83308-588-7

Link

Last Update

24-Mar-2026

Keywords

History ; Technology ; Political Science

Description

Drones—or as they are also known, armed unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs)—are in the headlines and provoking debates, especially for their use in U.S. targeted killings. They are spreading across the globe and others are beginning to use them. How dangerous is the proliferation of armed UAVs and what effect will they have on U.S. security?¹

A UAV has these characteristics:

It is a powered, aerial vehicle that does not carry a human operator.

It uses aerodynamic forces to provide vehicle lift.

It can fly autonomously or be piloted remotely.

It is designed to be recoverable.

It can carry...