The U.S. is at an inflection point that demands a shift in robotics from a supplemental asset to a core element of warfare, according to a new paper published by the Association of the U.S. Army.

“The character of warfare has transformed with the rise of robotic and autonomous systems, which now define warfare rather than merely shaping it,” Lt. Col. Richard Brennan writes. “Unlike earlier technologies that enhanced human capabilities, robotic systems eliminate human presence, enabling low-cost assets to defeat advanced defenses with speed and scale. This shift demands a rethinking of doctrine, training and leadership” and “a massive course correction across the Department of War.”

In “The Robotification of Warfare: Strategic Imperatives for the Robotic Age,” Brennan argues that “urgent action is essential to avoid the historical pitfalls of delayed adaptation” of incorporating technology into the U.S. military’s capabilities. He defines robotification as “the integration of autonomous machines to replace human roles in combat and support functions.”

Brennan is an Army strategist who serves as the Qatar and Bahrain country director in the office of the undersecretary of war for policy. He previously served three years as the strategy branch chief for the Joint Counter-Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems Office. He has a master’s degree in international security studies from the University of Denver in Colorado.

The U.S. military’s current robotics framework is "fragmented" and lacks integration, leading each service to pursue its own platforms, priorities and timelines, Brennan writes.

“To overcome these systemic inefficiencies and establish true operational coherence, the [Department of War] must create a Joint Robotics Agency (JRA) under the Office of the Secretary of War,” he writes. “Rather than reacting to present threats in isolation, the JRA would ensure development efforts are forward-looking, targeting capabilities necessary to dominate both the robotic battlespace of today and the AI-driven conflicts of tomorrow.”

As the military integrates robotics and artificial intelligence, though, “technological superiority alone is insufficient,” Brennan writes.

“Strategic advantage in the robotic age will be secured by the military’s ability to cultivate and unleash human talent capable of mastering and leading complex human-machine teams,” he writes. “To that end, the [Department of War] must accelerate the development of leaders fluent in both tactical decision-making and digital fluency.”

The urgent need for robotics policy implementation “cannot be overstated,” Brennan writes.

“The window of opportunity to establish technological and strategic dominance is narrowing rapidly,” he writes. “By proactively embracing these recommendations, the U.S. military can avoid repeating costly historical errors … and instead solidify its position as the preeminent force in robotic warfare, fully prepared for the demands and opportunities of future conflicts.”

Read the paper here.