The Psychology of Remote Control Warfare

1
The Psychology of Remote Control Warfare
Wg Cdr Pete York Joint Air Power Competence
Centre Kalkar, Germany
2
Introduction
3
Remote Control Warfare

• Considerations
• Political
• Legal
• Operational
• Human

4
Political Considerations

• Public Opinion
• Economic
• Reconstruction

5
Political Considerations

• Public Opinion
• Economic
• Reconstruction

6
Political Considerations

• Public Opinion
• Economic
• Reconstruction

7
Legal Considerations

• How does the Geneva Convention apply in RCW?
• Have Rules of Engagement (ROE) for Unmanned
  Combat Aerial Vehicles (UCAV) been developed
  sufficiently?
• Does sufficient discipline exist within RCW
  forces to abide by ROE from a remote detached
  environment with only media images of the effects
  being perpetrated?
• Have the increased possibilities of
  Blue-on-Blue in an RCW situation been
  considered?

8
Operational Aspects

• Morale
• Situational awareness
• UAS Flight Safety

9
Operational Aspects

• Morale
• Situational awareness
• UAS Flight Safety

10
Operational Aspects

• Morale
• Situational awareness
• UAS Flight Safety

11
Human Factors War is about People
12
Human Factors Non-Technological Solutions
History tells us that less technologically
advanced Nations will always find a means to
attack stronger Nations people centres as a
means of imposing their will.
13
Human Factors Selection and Training
Best man for the Job?
14
Human Factors Moral Issues

• Would the RCW Controller be better able to
  appreciate the consequences of his actions if he
  were physically facing the enemy?
• How would he reply when his wife asked How was
  your day?
• How would his children react?
• How would CNN report seeing him with a wind-down
  beer in his hand?

15
Conclusion

• Should we as Military Commanders be asking these
  questions?
• If not, why not?