Unmanned Systems and the Future of War.

• Date: 01 June 2021
• Author: Viscuso, Sebastian
• Published date: 01 June 2021
• Author: Viscuso, Sebastian

In 2005, Vice Adm. Lowell E. Jacoby, then director of the Defense Intelligence Agency, noted in his testimony before the House Armed Services Committee that "lethal unmanned aerodynamic vehicles are expected to pose an increased threat to deployed U.S. and allied forces in various regions."

Jacoby predicted that not only would autonomous systems proliferate among U.S. allies, but also amongst potential competitors and pose a threat to friendly forces in the battlespace. His words were prophetic.

Largely through its vast oil resources and geopolitical positioning, Azerbaijan integrated advanced unmanned aerial systems into its operations against Armenia during the Second Nagomo Karabakh War, which took place Sept. 27 to Nov. 10 last year. Retired Marine Corps Maj. Brandon Tattersall, senior analyst at Insitu, noted "Azerbaijan has been able to invest in [UAS], precision guided munitions, loitering munitions" and various other systems due to its oil revenues and its special relationship with Turkey.

"Because of close cultural and ethnic ties and historic hostility to Armenia, Turkey has been very willing to provide support," he said in an interview.

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