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The digital revolution in military affairs has caused repercussions within the military sector and strategic thinking by moving from the traditional concept of Clausewitz, which is based on the rule of combat and confrontation in the physical field, to the concept of Sun Tzu, which focuses on the knowledge base and reducing dependence on the human element and combat in the cyber field. The progress in technological means and information systems has changed the form of confrontation and led to the emergence of new forms of war. The RussianUkrainian war is a clear example of this transformation. The study found that the war has changed not in its nature but in the way it is fought, through Using the contents of the digital revolution in the operational field has enabled Russia to adapt to the situation on the ground. However, it still faces challenges at strategic level of the war. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article explores the historical and conceptual development of ideas about automata and robots in Western culture and introduces their physical representations in the form of autonomous weapon systems known as “killer robots”. The text traces the development of the ideas of automata from ancient myths and philosophical reflections to modern science fiction works and examines how historical ideas have shaped and influenced our perceptions of robots, especially autonomous weapon systems. The text also focuses on developments in the field of robotic weapons and autonomous weapons systems. It points out that the idea of autonomous weapons as well as its real representations have historical roots in the past. I will argue that the robotic weapons of today have their origins in remote controlled, unmanned weapons and precision guided munitions. Currently, the most widely accepted definition of autonomous weapons includes not only modern advanced technologies, but also older simple weapons. This definition emphasizes the relationship between man and machine, particularly the role of the operator in selecting and attacking the target. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Smart weapons represent a key element of military power for countries around the world, and nothing symbolizes them more than smart bombs—the guided aerial bombs that the United States debuted in the Vietnam War. Yet, international relations scholars know little about these weapons and what explains their proliferation. In this paper, we theorize about the key drivers of smart bomb proliferation, including an interaction between the security environment, regime type, and the interest of states in precision to help them follow the law of war. We then introduce a new dataset on smart bombs from 1960-2017. The results show that internal and external security threats make countries more likely to acquire smart bombs. These effects interact with regime type and whether countries are more likely to ratify treaties related to the law of war. GDP per capita and economic capacity also appears fundamental to explaining smart bomb adoption. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

While the Cold War seemingly ended the prospect of nuclear annihilation, in the West it also brought about renewed belief in the utility of force. A warming international political environment and developments in precision technology (as demonstrated by the 1990–91 Gulf War) appeared to create a permissive environment in which western states, particularly the United States, armed with smart weapons, international resolutions and a capacity to engage anywhere and whenever they want to—and all at a low cost—could bring about improvements in some of the most desperate and war-torn places on the planet. Nations who possessed a large, technologically precise and sophisticated hammer could suddenly view world problems as convenient, easily fixed nails. The end result of this vision, however, has been disaster—resulting in flawed intervention after failed intervention, including Somalia, the Balkans, Afghanistan, Iraq and Libya. Indeed, these supposedly 'easy wars' have become 'forever wars'. The question is: why has the West continually failed to learn this lesson? This article explores how the chaos that ensues in the wake of 'easy war' conflicts has reinforced a tendency within Washington policy-circles to utilize weapons that are more automated and/or remove individuals from the battlefield entirely. The lesson that technology cannot conquer the 'fog of war' to create costless victory or replace the hard work of politics and diplomacy is never learned. And even as President Joe Biden's administration begins to pivot towards Russia and Asia, it is likely that this tendency will endure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Integrating energetic materials with microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) to realize miniaturized energetic chips has shown broad application prospects in micro-spacecraft, micro-satellites, ballistic correction munitions, and smart munitions. In this work, a new type of MEMS compatible Cu/ICM-101 energetic film was successfully fabricated on copper substrates by in-situ electrochemical synthesis, the morphology and ignition property of which can be effectively controlled by adjusting the voltage and electrochemical deposition time. The morphology, composition, thermal properties, and ignition performance of as-prepared Cu/ICM-101 films were characterized by scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, differential scanning calorimetry, and pulsed laser. The results show that the as-prepared Cu/ICM-101 films possesses nano porous framework structure with an exothermic heat of 1800.9 J·g−1 and a thermal decomposition peak temperature of 256.4 °C. In addition, the flame height and ignition duration of which reach 10 mm and 300 μs, respectively. This work provides a reference for the integration and application of energetic materials in MEMS systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article examines the development of precision guided munitions (PGMs) from the earliest proto-PGMs of the late 18th century to the miniaturised, semi-autonomous forms in present service. N R Jenzen-Jones and Jack Shanley trace the history of these revolutionary weapons and examine how their battlefield roles and real-world use cases have evolved over time.◼ [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• A HAN-based electrically controlled solid propellant with controlled combustion was prepared. • The thermal decomposition mechanism of ECSGP was analyzed. • Peak combustion pressure was increased by more than 50%. • The burning rate and energy can be controlled with electricity. Solid propellants have been widely applied due to its high energy, rapid reaction, easy storage and convenient equipment. However, the further development of solid propellants has been hindered by the challenges associated with controlling their combustion process. In this research, we presented an electrically controlled solid propellant (ECSP), and its burning rate could be continuously adjusted with voltage. We investigated thermal decomposition behavior and gaseous products of ECSP using thermogravimetry–differential scanning calorimetry-mass spectrometry (TG-DSC-MS). The solid products were analyzed through energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Based on the thermal decomposition behavior, gaseous products, and solid products, it was found that the thermal decomposition process could be divided into two stages: decomposition of ammonium nitrate (AN) and interactions between hydroxylamine nitrate (HAN) and other substances. The electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) experiments revealed that the electrical conductivity of ECSP increased with the pressure. Significantly, the peak combustion pressure of propellant increased by the rise of voltage from 3.17 MPa (150 V) to 5 MPa (250 V) in closed bomb. In addition, electricity reinforced the burning rate and powder force of propellant. Additionally, the electricity simultaneously affects electric and thermal decomposition processes. Electricity is used to control the burning rate and the total energy produced by propellant combustion. The characteristics of controllable energy has the potential to achieve controllable range of weapons, providing a new direction for development of smart weapons. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lung cancer remains the significant cause of deaths in males and females worldwide and many attempts have been made for diagnosis and treatment of lung cancer. Nanotechnology has emerged as a novel strategy to design smart nanostructure weapons to combat lung cancer. Recently, the biogenic gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) have attracted highlighted interest for lung cancer theranostics. The current systematic review served to evaluate the anticancer potential of biologically synthesized AuNPs against lung cancer cells through in vitro studies. We provided valuable information regarding the efficacy of biogenic AuNPs suggesting their potential for next generation of anticancer drugs. The articles were identified through international databases involving Cochrane, Web of Science, PubMed, Scopus, Science Direct, ProQuest, and Embase. Eighteen articles were found eligible to enter into the current study. Our findings represented that although some studies reported nontoxicity of biogenic AuNPs against lung cancer cells, most of the studies reported significant anticancer activity of these nanoparticles (NPs) against lung cancer cells. Although the in vitro studies provided preliminary evidence for lung anticancer potential of biogenic AuNPs, further in vivo investigations are required to confirm the efficacy of these NPs through animal models. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Unexploded ordnance (UXO, also referred to as munitions) are located in nearshore and other underwater environments as a result of military activities. UXO have been found in the surf zone and on populated beaches. This paper describes the development and evaluation of instrumented UXO surrogates for observing munitions migration and burial. Surrogates were designed and fabricated to match mass properties for a variety of common munitions (81-mm Mortar, BLU-61 Cluster Bomb, M151-70 Hydra Rocket, M107 155-mm). Surrogates housed suites of self-logging sensors. Sensor suites that could record up to 7–12 h included various combinations of inertial motion units (IMUs), pressure transducers, shock recorders, and photocells. Instrumented surrogates were then exposed to prototype scale wave conditions over a mobile bed at the Littoral Warfare Environment at the Aberdeen Test Center, Aberdeen, MD, USA. Surrogates were deployed in the swash and breaker zones. IMUs and shock recorders provided congruent acceleration measurements of swash impact. IMUs accurately resolved heading and orientation during periods of low-frequency motion. Photocells resolved surrogate roll consistent with IMU as well as surrogate burial. However, in the breaker zone, the large presence of suspended sediment and surface foam make photocell data more difficult to interpret. Surrogate mobility and forcing conditions measurements can provide data to improve modeling of munitions burial and migration in the nearshore environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article examines the US-led coalition's conduct during the Persian Gulf War of 1991. A year ago American troops and material headed for the Persian Gulf amid the cheerleading of politicians and the press. But more than a few commentators were already beginning to cite Murphy's Law-if something could go wrong, it would. They warned that a shooting war would produce high casualties, body bags, and perhaps another Vietnam-style nightmare. Compared with the Vietnam War and even World War II, military and civilian leaders approached the Gulf War with a different attitude about fighting. Usually, just-war theorists are united in making a sharp distinction between the process of justifying entry into war (justice of the war), and justifying how the war is fought (justice in the war). INSET: Beyond Vietnam, by N.G.F..

The article highlights the development of a long-range cruise missile in United States. The long-range cruise missile is being developed by the U.S. Air Force and U.S. Navy which is the result of advances of the micro-miniaturization of the electronic components and turbo-fan jet engines. Several requirements of the tactical destruction of a target include the ability to determine the target from its surroundings, ability to deliver the destructive munition with a spatial error smaller than the radius of explosive charge and knowledge of the target location.