Drones

ByJames Riedel & Phillip Schrank

Overview

• What is a Drone?• What do they do?• What has gone wrong with them?• Is there a place for them in our future?• Are they Ethical?

What is a Drone?

• Many different names – unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV)– remotely piloted aircraft (RPA)– unmanned aircraft

• Powered aerial vehicles sustained in flight by aerodynamic lift over most of their flight path and guided without an onboard crew. (defense.gov)

Who Uses Drones?

• ARMY & armed forces• CIA• Police• Who else?

Drones

ARMYC.I.A.

PoliceCivilian

More Drones

Drones

• Basic components– Engine (source of flight)– Board Auto pilot– RF Antenna (other types of communication)– Navigation (GPS)

Overview

• Controlling a UAV is like a video game. • Training to use them.

Drones

Benefits of Drones

• Hundreds of terrorists and militants killed• Surveillance • Border Security• Saves lives• Can be used for hours at a time

Harms of Drones

• Collateral damage• Privacy issues• Numerous crashes• Expensive to make• Unsecure systems

Drones in Our Future

Replace military branches?Automated drones soon to come?

Ethical Concerns

• Easy warfare = more warfare?• Violates international law?• Automation potential for disaster?• Violates international law?

Ethical Analysis

• The proper lens in which to view this ethical decision is with Social Contract Theory. With some many live potential effected by Drones, it is important to look at it with a broad scope.

Questions?