March 3, 2026Open Access

Mitigating Cost Asymmetry in Modern Warfare

Key Points

Low-cost autonomous systems can rebalance economic cost-exchange ratios in warfare, benefiting defensive strategies.
The study emphasizes both strategic advantages and ethical risks associated with integrating these technologies.
Multi-domain analysis across air, land, and maritime contexts reveals diverse operational potentials.
Understanding the implications of these systems is crucial for future military strategies and ethical considerations.

Abstract

This project hosts the research paper “Mitigating Cost Asymmetry in Modern Warfare: The Role of Low-Cost Autonomous Systems Across Domains.” The paper examines how inexpensive autonomous and unmanned systems, particularly attritable platforms and swarming technologies which can help re-balance the economic cost-exchange ratios that increasingly favor offensive actors in modern conflict. Through multi-domain analysis across air, land, and maritime environments, the study highlights both the strategic potential of low-cost autonomy and the operational, technical, and ethical risks associated with its integration. This OSF project serves as an open-access repository for the full manuscript and related materials. This paper is also available on Zenodo with DOI: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.18384806

Mitigating Cost Asymmetry in Modern Warfare

Key Points

Abstract

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