May 15, 2015
The Civil Drone: Non-Kinetic Applications of Drone Technology
Today, the word “drone” commonly provokes energetic debates – often stemming from the technology’s controversial use in military operations. Some see drones as precision tools that reduce civilian casualties while eliminating terrorist threats; others see them as extralegal – or even illegal – implements of war. But while “drone strikes” and the broader military applications of drone technology have long-dominated headlines, drones offer a growing number of promising commercial and humanitarian applications that are frequently overlooked in the public discourse.
Indeed, the technological sophistication of hobbyist and commercial drones has markedly improved in recent years, enabling a range of capabilities and applications that were formerly the monopoly of major military powers. Commercially available drones can now carry thermal imaging and night-vision surveillance equipment, capture and transmit high-definition images and video, and persist for modest periods of time at growing distances. These capabilities have steadily increased the use of drones outside of a military context.
Read the full article on the Leading Edge blog.
More from CNAS
-
Marine Force Design: Changes Overdue Despite Critics’ Claims
Commentary
Imagine a Corps that can emulate what the Ukrainian army did to the Russian army during the first phase of Russian President Vladimir Putin’s “special military operation,” but...
By Robert O. Work
-
Fireside Chat with Senator Jack Reed
Transcript
Transcript from the April 24, 2023, conversation between Senator Jack Reed (D-RI), and Stacie Pettyjohn, Senior Fellow and Director of the Defense program at the Center for a ...
By Stacie Pettyjohn & Jack Reed
-
Bad Blood: The TTX for the House Select Committee on Strategic Competition Between the United States and the Chinese Communist Party (CCP)
Congressional Testimony
I. Introduction Chairman Gallagher, Ranking Member Krishnamoorthi, distinguished members of the committee and staff, thank you for inviting me to come today to talk about the ...
By Stacie Pettyjohn, Becca Wasser & Andrew Metrick
-
War Games: House Committee simulates Chinese invasion of Taiwan
Video
Last week, the Defense Team and Gaming Lab from CNAS conducted a tabletop exercise for the House Select Committee on China examining a hypothetical future invasion of Taiwan b...
By Stacie Pettyjohn, Becca Wasser & Andrew Metrick
