Safety and development of autonomous unmanned platforms in the modern technical ecosystem

Abstract

The contemporary world is undergoing a phase of a breakthrough technological transition, in which Autonomous Unmanned Platforms (AUPs) are becoming a cornerstone of modern civil and military structures. This study provides a multi-dimensional analysis of the operational safety of these systems across the air, land, and maritime domains, drawing on the latest achievements in engineering science and legal regulations developed up to the end of 2025. The paper outlines the initial process of integrating unmanned aviation with manned aviation, highlighting key technologies that support operational reliability, such as automatic collision avoidance systems and the advanced SORA (Specific Operations Risk Assessment) risk evaluation methodology. The evolution of AUP systems is presented, from strictly reconnaissance tools to advanced strike and logistics platforms, with references to examples of Polish designs, including the KUNA vehicle and the BLUSZCZ system. An important element of the analysis is the phenomenon of large-scale adaptation of commercial civilian devices for military purposes, which redefines the principles of the modern battlefield in terms of economy of force and mass sensor saturation. The study also addresses ethical and legal dilemmas arising from the increasing autonomy of machines, with particular emphasis on the accountability gap related to decisions made by artificial intelligence algorithms. The paper concludes with a discussion of challenges in the field of cybersecurity and the role of the human factor in the supervision of automated systems. Overall, the text emphasizes the positive aspects of robotic transformation, identifying it as an opportunity to increase human survivability in hazardous environments and to foster dynamic economic growth while maintaining the highest standards of protection of life and privacy.