Robocraft

<p>Technology is changing at an exponential rate. The fields of genetics robotics information and nano technology (GRIN) are intermingling and feeding on each other to enable a not-too-distant future that will look radically different than today. Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) will naturally incorporate these technologies and crystallize many of the issues associated with the GRIN revolution. Just how these new capabilities are incorporated into UAVs is not simply a question of technological know-how. Sociopolitical forces and natural barriers will also mold their development. Technological trajectories suggest that a future all-UAV force would have the ability to be fully autonomous and more capable than one containing manned aircraft. Sociopolitical factors within the Air Force may oppose such a force. The future of UAVs cannot be predicted with any amount of certainty but the network of forces that will act upon UAV development can be examined through the perspective of heterogeneous engineering and from this examination possible paths forward can be suggested. The reader should come away with a greater understanding of just what the explosion of technological progress in the next 20 years might mean for the Air Force the United States and humanity at large.</p><p>This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work was reproduced from the original artifact and remains as true to the original work as possible. Therefore you will see the original copyright references library stamps (as most of these works have been housed in our most important libraries around the world) and other notations in the work.</p><p>This work is in the public domain in the United States of America and possibly other nations. Within the United States you may freely copy and distribute this work as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work.</p><p>As a reproduction of a historical artifact this work may contain missing or blurred pages poor pictures errant marks etc. Scholars believe and we concur that this work is important enough to be preserved reproduced and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.</p>