Ethics of Armed Unmanned Systems Discussed in Washington

A featured panel discussion on the "Ethics in Armed Unmanned Systems in Combat," was part of The AUVSI 2009 North American Symposium, which was held this week in Washington, D.C.

Ron Arkin and P.W. Singer were on the panel, but of particular note was the participation of Major General Charles "Charlie" Dunlap, who has taught law and ethics at the USAF Academy, "Air University" in Maxwell, and at NDU/Ft. McNair. Another panelist, whose name we do not have, is commander of the Predator squadron, located at Creech AFB, NV. This panel may have been the first time that a flag officer of the U.S. Armed Forces has openly discussed the ethics of armed unmanned systems in public.