Defence chiefs want improved unmanned machines that could one day take over tasks undertaken by RAF pilots.
The Ministry of Defence is seeking to develop a new
generation of surveillance systems that will automatically identify people
regarded as high-value targets, the Guardian has learned.
The systems would also be able to automatically tell the
difference between vehicles, potentially diminishing the role that humans play
in the gathering of intelligence.
Though the systems could, in theory, give confidence to
military planners preparing a strike mission, it will also raise fears about
machines being in a position to decide whether and when to use lethal force
against an enemy.
Defence experts have been undertaking presentations to IT
companies, explaining the type of equipment the military is looking for.
At one of the meetings in Cardiff earlier this month,
they encouraged pitches for "automatic (assisted) target recognition"
systems, specifically designed to identify people and vehicles from the air, or
on the ground.
In particular, they asked for "detection and
recognition of people and gestures in urban scenarios". Such sensors would
be able to identify "face, gait and shape features", as well as
"identify individuals or reacquire targets from their own signature".
Surveillance equipment can already identify vehicles, but
the presentation explains that more sophisticated systems are needed because
"current algorithms can be confused by camouflage, shadows, and
clutter".
Ideally, the sensors would be able to differentiate
between colours and have thermal imaging. The systems could be incorporated on
UAVs – unmanned aerial vehicles, more commonly called drones.
The presentation in Cardiff was organised by the Defence,
Science and Technology Laboratory, working with the Centre for Defence
Enterprise. They are arms of the MoD that specialise in future technologies.
The military believes that there are small firms, not
usually involved in defence work, that may be further ahead, or have better
ideas, than the ones they are used to dealing with.
"It is our job to innovate, and to go beyond our
standard suppliers," said a spokesman. "What we are looking to do is
find out the maximum extent of what is feasibly possible. We need to engage
with people who would not normally be involved in defence. Not just companies,
but universities and academics too."
Chris Cole, who runs the Drones War website, said he was
concerned about the focus on new systems that would give even more capability
to UAVs, which have been used so controversially by the US to target suspected
terrorists in Pakistan.
"While repeatedly insisting there is nothing
controversial about the use of unmanned systems, the MoD is now combining
drones with automatic target recognition technology in an attempt to seek out
individuals on a so-called high value target list.
"Many will find this development extremely
disturbing and inhuman. We call for proper public oversight and scrutiny of the
growing development and use of armed drones by British forces."
Separately, the MoD has placed a 100-page document in the
House of Commons library which sets out "the UK approach to unmanned
aircraft systems".
It makes clear that UAVs will be an integral part of the
UK's future weapons systems and could one day perform all of the tasks
undertaken by RAF pilots. It also sets out the ethical and legal dilemmas that
face the military.
The document states that there is a "general
expectation across defence, academia and industry that unmanned aircraft will
become more prevalent, eventually taking over all of the tasks currently
undertaken by manned systems. This is strongly reflected in current government
policy." Cutting costs and minimising the threat to personnel are the
motivations for embracing new technology, it adds.
The document also makes clear that the joint strike
fighter (JSF), which is due in service in 2020, could well be the last of its
kind. "It is increasingly common to hear JSF referred to as the last
manned fighter platform ... this may well be true.
"How soon we see the air power roles of attack and
mobility and lift conducted by unmanned systems will be reliant on advances in
technology, cost effectiveness and public acceptance."
Andrew Brookes, editor of The Air League, said: "By
2030 the mix between manned and unmanned in the air force will be half and
half. Anything more than that is just an aspiration. My concern about the use
of UAVs is that you should never give the politician an easy option to go to
war. It should be the last resort, not the first. UAVs give them an easy option
because lives are not being put at risk."