The Impact Of Automation On Combat Effectiveness: The Case Of The Republic Of Korea

This study examines the relationship between the level of automation in warfare and combat effectiveness, focusing on unmanned combat systems (UCS). As the Republic of Korea faces a significant decline in the availability of military personnel due to demographic changes, UCS adoption has become a critical priority. While UCSs are anticipated to surpass human combatants in operational efficiency, they require substantial maintenance and repair resources. Using an agent-based model adapted from ecological frameworks, this study simulates conflict scenarios involving two opposing groups. Simulation results show that UCS units consistently outperform human combatants and play a substantial role in reducing the duration of conflict. These findings highlight the complex interplay between UCS, human soldiers, and maintenance personnel, suggesting that simply augmenting the combat effectiveness of human troops does not necessarily guarantee victory.