Research on Unmanned and Intelligent Combat Theory and Capability Development

© 2026 by the Authors. Licensee Whioce Publishing, Singapore. This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License ( https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ )

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Abstract

This paper presents a comprehensive analysis of the evolution, foundational concepts, capability development, and operational challenges of unmanned systems. It traces their theoretical progression from post-Cold War origins to systematic maturation in the 21st century, emphasizing the central role of emerging operational concepts and exploratory advances in capability development. Key bottlenecks in unmanned combat operations are examined, particularly limitations in communication bandwidth and the vulnerability of data links in contested environments. The paper further discusses future development trajectories, highlighting both technological and ethical challenges. Overall, unmanned warfare is evolving toward a more intelligent, networked, and resilient operational architecture, with profound implications for the conduct and character of future high-end warfare.

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