The Hand Behind Unmanned: Origins of the US Autonomous Military Arsenal (Bridging the Gap)

The Hand Behind Unmanned tells the fascinating story of the people, processes, and beliefs that led to the contemporary American unmanned arsenal. Jacquelyn Schneider and Julia Macdonald detail over a hundred years of advances in weapons technology, from mines and balloons to Predators and Reapers, to explain why certain types of unmanned systems became popular while others languished. Their exploration reveals how multiple factors--influential policy entrepreneurs, critical historical junctures, lessons from previous conflicts, and the military's own culture--all interacted in complex ways to generate today's unmanned arsenal. The book also provides an in-depth analysis of the current state of America's unmanned arsenal and the potential future pathways it might take.

Jacquelyn Schneider is a Hoover Fellow and Director of the Wargaming and Crisis Simulation Initiative. Her research focuses on the intersection of technology, national security, and political psychology. Dr. Schneider is an active member of the defense policy community with previous positions with the Naval War College, Cyberspace Solarium Commission, Center for a New American Security, and the RAND Corporation. Before beginning her academic career, she spent six years as an Air Force officer and is currently a reservist. She has a BA from Columbia University, MA from Arizona State University, and PhD from George Washington University.

Julia Macdonald is a Research Professor at the Korbel School of International Studies, University of Denver, and Director of Research and Engagement at the Asia New Zealand Foundation. Her research focuses on state threat assessments, use of force decisions, and military strategy and effectiveness. She has held positions at the RAND Corporation, the New Zealand Ministry of Defence, and most recently New Zealand's Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet where she led development of New Zealand's first National Security Strategy. She holds a Ph.D. from the George Washington University, an M.A. (Hons) from the University of Chicago, and a B.A. (Hons) from the University of Canterbury, New Zealand.