Autonomous weapon system – Definition & Meaning

Definition of autonomous weapon system

: a weapon system that, after activation, can select and apply force to targets without a person choosing each individual target or strike
- Diplomats disagreed over which autonomous weapon systems should be prohibited and which should remain under human control.
- The review examined whether the system's target selection complied with international humanitarian law.

Origin & history

Military autonomy developed over decades, while autonomous weapon system and the policy abbreviation LAWS became central terms in international discussions about emerging weapons and meaningful human control.

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Which of these is the meaning of autonomous weapon system?

Related terms

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Cite this entry

"Autonomous weapon system." AI Dictionary, Dadgogo, https://dadgogo.com/dictionary/autonomous-weapon-system/. Accessed 7 Oct. 2026.