Status quo and perspectives of the military use of unmanned systems. Summary

Unmanned systems (UMS) have become comprehensively and firmly established in many armed forces. They open up cost, effectiveness and security advantages in important dimensions of the military capability spectrum or open up new options on the battlefield. These include, for example, longer missions compared to manned systems, reduced risk to soldiers or the possibility of comprehensive reconnaissance in high-risk operational environments. The development of EMS is linked to advances in numerous fields of technology and opens up economic potential that goes beyond the military sphere. However, at the latest since thousands of airborne armed drones were deployed in Iraq and Afghanistan, EMS are also associated with challenges in terms of security, arms control policy and international law. The TAB report describes the state of development and military use of unmanned air, land and sea systems in the national and international context and provides an overview of current and future key technologies for the development of EMS. In addition, it addresses the economic dimension of unmanned systems in the defence and civilian submarkets of the national and international economic system, in order to analyse the civilian innovation and deployment potential of EMS on this basis. The report also places unmanned systems in the legal framework provided by arms and arms export control treaties as well as international legal norms and takes stock of the current treaties with regard to their relevance for EMS in order to conclude by identifying the need for political and social information and discussion

Sustainability and Parliaments: Survey and Perspectives RIO +20. Summary

At the 1992 UN Conference on Environment and Development, countries committed themselves to sustainable action. Since then, structures and processes have been modified in politics and administration worldwide, and new bodies and procedures have been created. So far, these changes have mostly been carried out by the executive. The TAB report sheds light for the first time on the contribution of parliaments to sustainable action. To this end, it describes the activities of the German Bundestag and the parliaments of the Länder with regard to constructive participation in shaping national sustainability policy, as well as providing an overview of the activities of the parliaments of other Länder. It becomes clear that the legislatures also launched corresponding institutional and procedural innovations. However, this alone is not enough. Further continuous parliamentary learning processes are also necessary if parliaments want to play a more active role in sustainability policy. The TAB report pays special attention to the Parliamentary Advisory Council on Sustainable Development of the German Bundestag, which was established in 2004. With its objectives and working methods, it plays a pioneering role in international comparison. In spite of its acknowledged good work, there are many opportunities to better integrate the guiding principle of sustainable development into the political processes of the German Bundestag on an ongoing basis. The TAB report offers substantial information and a variety of suggestions in this regard

Military use of space and possibilities for arms control in space. Summary

The high relevance of technology for security policy and the role of modern armed forces is undisputed. New technologies make it possible to increase the quality and combat effectiveness of weapon systems and open up new types of options for action for politics and the armed forces. It is to be expected that the use of improved and expanded technological options will continue to have a decisive impact on the role and options for action of the armed forces, the stability of the state system and ultimately on warfare in the coming years. This also and especially applies to the scientific and technical developments in the field of military use of space. On the initiative of the Subcommittee on Disarmament, Arms Control and Non-Proliferation, the Committee on Education, Research and Technology Assessment commissioned TAB to prepare a status report on the topic of "Military Use of Outer Space and Possibilities for Arms Control in Outer Space". Using the example of space armament, the TAB report deals with the interplay between technological dynamics and political and military goals and models. From the point of view of arms control policy, it analyses the possibilities of stopping or limiting such developments, which could develop into a danger to the security and stability of the international system of states. For a long time now, space has been a place of operation for military systems. About 170 purely military satellites orbit the earth and fulfil functions such as reconnaissance, early warning, communication and control for the armed forces. Now there are signs of a threshold being crossed in the military use of space: In the future, weapons systems could be developed to operational maturity, the stationing of which on Earth or in space could initiate a spiral of the arms race. Dynamics of technology, challenge of arms control Not least because of new technical possibilities, space is increasingly being ascribed a key function from the point of view of military planners, but also from the security policy of the militarily leading nations. Worldwide, spending on military research and development in concepts, technologies and systems is growing. In strategies, doctrines and planning, the use of space for security purposes is becoming a central element. The USA is the most important driver of this development. Space is increasingly seen there as a key civil and military resource with the highest priority. Its military use opens up numerous options for gaining and securing information sovereignty, for prevention, for deterrence and for warfare that are attractive in the perception of the military and politics. Threats and capabilities: the doctrine of "space control As early as 2001, a high-level commission headed by current Secretary of Defence Donald Rumsfeld had placed US national security interests in space among the "top national priorities" and recommended that the US develop the means to deter or defend against hostile attacks in and from space ("space control"). These means included weapons stationed in space. Plans and statements of the Bush administration tie in with this and indicate an increased interest in the military use of outer space. Achieving "space superiority" is considered both a goal and a key aspect in the transformation of the US armed forces. Military space technology and weapon systems From a political and military perspective, new technologies play the key role in achieving the desired goals and capabilities of the armed forces. In particular, "space control capabilities" and increasingly "space force application capabilities" are based on the premise of advanced technologies and systems. For numerous military operational areas, this basis is therefore actually being created through increased research, development and demonstration activities. A look at the military R&D planning of the United States provides a picture of the promotion and targeting of enabling technologies. In space transport, efforts are being made to improve propulsion technology. A long-term goal is a "space plane" whose operation can be similarly functional and adapted to the situation as that of an aircraft. In satellite operations, the development of small satellites is a conspicuous trend. Highly manoeuvrable microsatellites or service robots open up new military deployment options in the fight against foreign satellites. From a political and military perspective, new technologies play the key role in achieving the desired goals and capabilities of the armed forces. In particular, "space control capabilities" and increasingly "space force application capabilities" are based on the premise of advanced technologies and systems. For numerous military operational areas, this basis is therefore actually being created through increased research, development and demonstration activities. A look at the military R&D planning of the United States provides a picture of the promotion and targeting of enabling technologies. In space transport, efforts are being made to improve propulsion technology. A long-term goal is a "space plane" whose operation can be similarly functional and adapted to the situation as that of an aircraft. In satellite operations, the development of small satellites is a conspicuous trend. Highly manoeuvrable microsatellites or service robots open up new military deployment options in the fight against foreign satellites. Of utmost importance are efforts in research and development for the deployment of operational weapon systems. Currently, there are no known deployed space-based weapon systems. However, there are a number of systems in the research and development stage: for use in space, such as "killer satellites", which could be a first step towards achieving the desired goal of comprehensive "space control"; from space, such as space-based laser weapons or kinetic energy weapons to engage targets on Earth; and for use into space, such as ground- or air-based laser weapons or ground-based "kill vehicles" to engage satellites and intercontinental ballistic missiles. Arms control for space - a "mission impossible"? From the point of view of arms control policy, the tendencies described above give cause for concern, as it becomes clear that the existing instruments of space law and the existing arms control agreements are not suitable for slowing down, let alone preventing, a further militarisation of outer space. In view of the hardened fronts between the USA and the other actors, it may seem utopian to discuss arms control policy action perspectives for outer space in terms of their advantages and disadvantages. On the other hand, we know from experience that political framework conditions are constantly changing both nationally and internationally. Efforts to make initially small advances, such as confidence- and security-building measures, should therefore be continued. To this end, TAB has developed options and put them up for discussion

Long-term and cross-sectional policy issues in European governments and parliaments. Summary

Dealing with long-term and cross-cutting issues poses a number of challenges to established routines and the organisation of governments and parliaments based on the division of labour: Long-term social development trends and long-term effects of political measures must be identified and taken into account. Political action must be coordinated between a large number of affected departments. A high degree of coordination with social interest groups is necessary if long-term political goals are to be realised. Subject and objective of the study The TAB project, which was commissioned by the Committee on Education, Research and Technology Assessment and started on 5 July 2000, pursued the question of which procedures and forms of institutionalisation (e.g. interdepartmental programmes, creation of specialised scientific institutions, commissions of enquiry, councils of experts, forums for communication between politics and society) are chosen by European parliaments and governments in dealing with long-term and cross-cutting issues in order to meet the challenges mentioned. In addition to a comparison of countries with regard to sustainability policy in Europe, TAB has compiled an inventory of the advisory institutions for technology assessment established in a number of European countries at the national parliaments