Review

Reviewed Work(s): The Drone Age: How Drone Technology Will Change War and Peace by
Michael J. Boyle
Review by: Philip Wane
Source: Prometheus , September 2022, Vol. 38, No. 3 (September 2022), pp. 365-370
Published by: Pluto Journals

Stable URL: https://www.jstor.org/stable/10.2307/48706334

JSTOR is a not-for-profit service that helps scholars, researchers, and students discover, use, and build upon a wide
range of content in a trusted digital archive. We use information technology and tools to increase productivity and
facilitate new forms of scholarship. For more information about JSTOR, please contact [email protected].

Your use of the JSTOR archive indicates your acceptance of the Terms & Conditions of Use, available at
https://about.jstor.org/terms

Pluto Journals is collaborating with JSTOR to digitize, preserve and extend access to Prometheus

This content downloaded from

37.111.8.223 on Wed, 24 Jul 2024 07:02:48 UTC
All use subject to https://about.jstor.org/terms
365 Book review

BOOK REVIEW

The Drone Age: How Drone Technology Will Change War and Peace, Michael J. Boyle (2020)
387pp., US$30 hardback, Oxford University Press, London, ISBN 9780190635862

The book title may be The Drone Age, but it is worth noting that drones are more accurately referred
to as unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) or remotely piloted aircraft (alternatively aerial) systems
(RPAS) by professional aviators and aviation organizations. Drones will become increasingly inde-
pendent in their operations, as the sophistication of onboard sensors and the processing power of
computer systems improves. This means an increasing proportion of their operation is effectively
autonomous, with only occasional remote piloting intervention. Whatever the merits of the more
technical aviation acronyms, it is the popular term ‘drone’ which dominates. Boyle notes that the
term possibly originated from the name of an interwar (1930s) British model called the Queen Bee
and this explanation is also supported by the Imperial War Museum in London. Therefore, despite
some reservations, I will use the term drone, which has become normalized.
Something that Boyle uses to improve his storytelling is the setting of little scenes; some
examples are detailed later. These vignettes are neat little observations that remind us that, despite
all the technology, this is also a story about people, both heroes and villains. The featured individu-
als are not simple stereotypes, but characters who have a backstory, and these settings are also part
of the overall story. The book opens with the scene of a man having breakfast, which develops into
a description of how he was then hunted down by US drones. This is the kind of book that can, and
does, bring in the likes of Marilyn Monroe, featured in a photograph with an early form of drone.
That photographic opportunity was initiated by one Ronald Reagan, then a captain in the US Army.
These are the kind of details that Boyle weaves in throughout the book in such a way as to add tex-
ture to what might have been a much drier text. Delicately balanced additions to the text that neither
detract nor distract from the core themes of the book are little touches that make this book pleasing
to read.
The book has an enticing introduction and a strong summary chapter. Between start and
finish are a selection of clearly themed chapters. These make it easy to dip into the book and get a
sense of the key arguments and how they fit into the overall narrative. One can read the book from
start to finish, but if readers have thematic priorities, the middle chapters can be read out of order.
The book contains a small number of black and white photographs, which reminds us that drones
have developed a strong visual aesthetic in recent years. Images of drones have become iconic,
being intrinsically linked to the contentious nature of drone operations. Images taken from drones
have also transformed our view of the world, from the sheering verticality of modern cities to the
video game aesthetic of digitally overlaid landscapes. As well as recognition of the visual aesthetics
of the drone age, the author reminds us of the importance of language. Like a lot of emerging tech-
nologies, the field is full of insider terminology with deadly themes, such as ‘kill box’, ‘kill list’ and
‘targeted killing’ (while not unique to drones, they take the concept to new heights).
Drone technology presents new options for military commanders in the field and for politi-
cians who may be watching in-theatre kills from comfortable offices in real-time. There may be
dangers in the disinhibiting, disconnected, digitally mediated deaths portrayed by remotely deployed
sensor technologies. The paradox of real-time sanitization of deaths may be accounted for by the
pseudo-computer game visuals afforded by remote video feeds. Emulation in games and movies
reinforces the disconnect between observers and actions – distant viewers of digitally rendered
deaths taking place in real time. Counter to this are suggestions that drone pilots are subject to stress

DOI:10.13169/prometheus.38.3.0365
This content downloaded from
37.111.8.223 on Wed, 24 Jul 2024 07:02:48 UTC
All use subject to https://about.jstor.org/terms
 Prometheus 366
by the immediacy of death, which can be exacerbated by long periods observing potential targets,
and the lack of a clear divide between conflict zones and their civilian lives. A pilot might complete
a lethal mission, leave his base and be back home within a very short time. Pilots can be based in
the United States and experience stress arising from the disconnect between on and off duty times
with minimal time to decompress after a stressful sortie.
Much of the book is focused on the use of military grade drones, the kind that resemble
small fixed-wing aircraft, and with which television viewers are familiar. This makes the choice of
book cover intriguing since it is an image of a quadcopter drone, more associated with hobbyists, or
the weaponized versions adopted by irregular military outfits, including some terrorist groups. This
may seem a minor point, but it sits within the whole realm of drone aesthetics, and perhaps even
more importantly, reflects the choice of language used when discussing drones and the immediate
mental images conjured up when drones are mentioned.
The airspace for academic books on drones is getting a little crowded, but this book is one
I would recommend. Boyle walks a finely balanced tightrope between academic rigour and wider
readability. If you already know a lot of about drones, this book will introduce relatively little in the
way of new ideas. However, it will give you some much-needed affirmation of what you probably
already know, and it will probably do it in a way that is more accessible than most authors can
manage. This is perhaps the real strength of the book. This is a good story being well told by a
knowledgeable and enthusiastic author. If you are new to drones you will learn a lot. If you have
some expertise and knowledge, then this is the kind of book to recommend to others, new to the
subject. This is an agile account of an increasingly important topic. Boyle expertly pilots readers
through the intellectual airspace that is the emerging field of drones and the increasingly central part
they play in military, civilian and hybrid roles. If you want to know ‘How drone technology will
change war and peace’ (the subtitle of the book), this is a good place to start.

Chapter 1: the drone age

A man is finishing breakfast… This opening scene sets the tone for much of what is to follow. This
could easily be the opening of a thriller, but Boyle uses the technique to draw readers into a well-
researched and more traditional academic style of writing. We are introduced to predator and reaper
military drones (familiar from news footage) and what they can do in tactical terms, thus hinting at
their strategic potential as a tool of international relations. The concept of targeted killing is explained
as this legal sleight of hand enables US presidents to kill US citizens without due process. The ter-
mination of targeted enemy combatants is a natural extension of this and is legally less problematic.
Boyle analyses key arguments clearly and concisely, and sets out the key themes, the consequences
for war and peace, and the increasingly fuzzy liminal space between states of war and peace.

Chapter 2: automated warfare

World War II saw the weaponization of aircraft, including converted multi-engine bombers. Early
efforts were far from automated in the modern sense, but saw the use of radio to guide converted
bombers to targets. These were hazardous adaptations for crew members on the explosive-laden
plane for part of the flight. One famous victim was Joseph P. Kennedy Jr, older brother of John F.
Kennedy, the future US president. Kennedy was killed, despite having the option to avoid such dan-
gerous missions (p.30). Aircraft that more closely resembled modern drones, such as the radioplane,
were also being developed as gunnery targets. This is the chapter that includes the photograph of
Norma Jean Dougherty (or Marilyn Monroe as she came to be known) with a partially assembled
radioplane (p.35). Boyle has the knack of dropping names like a stick of cultural ordnance.

Chapter 3: death from above

This chapter deals with post-millennium processes in drone warfare and the use of predator drones
in Pakistan, including their first recorded targeted killing in that country. The practice of targeted

This content downloaded from

37.111.8.223 on Wed, 24 Jul 2024 07:02:48 UTC
All use subject to https://about.jstor.org/terms
367 Book review
killing is discussed and Boyle details the use of Israeli aviation technology to carry out targeted kill-
ings. The argument that these are not assassinations is analysed. Given that religion is a driving factor
behind some modern Middle Eastern conflicts, the language of predators and reapers unleashing
hellfire missiles to send targets to their maker is a simplistic but ultimately poetic expression of a
complex and violently contested political situation. The chapter covers drone developments, espe-
cially in relation to the strategic sinkhole that is Afghanistan. Boyle does a good job of summarizing
various programmes and approaches under different presidents. He then moves on to consider the
intimacy of long-distance killing where the presence of sensors and high-quality video feeds can
bring the psychological impact of lethal interceptions close to home. The geography may be external,
but the psychology is internal and pilots and other operators face mental rather than physical risks.

Chapter 4: eyes in the sky

The chapter opens on the eve of World War I and notes how quickly reconnaissance flights became
integral to military operations with aerial surveillance becoming central to strategic and tactical deci-
sions. Rudimentary at the outbreak of war, the technologies rapidly evolved, as can happen when
monetary concerns are pushed to the margins by military and political imperatives. While aircraft
were (inevitably?) weaponized, their true value lay in the information their pilots and observers
provided to planners. Boyle has an apt quote from Orville Wright in support of this view – another
instance of the author’s use of illuminating quotes to add colour and human sensibilities to a topic
that could be overwhelmed by technology, policy and statistics. The role of aerial reconnaissance in
World War II is skipped, which is reasonable, given the focus of this book, Instead, the contemporary
use of drones in this role is discussed in detail. Illustrations help communicate the range in size from
large drones such as the Global Hawk, akin to a full-size piloted aircraft (p.106), to nano-drones such
as the Black Hornet (p.112), which is seen in an operator’s hand. The problems of indiscriminate
information gathering are discussed: just because you can collect so much data does not mean you do
not have to be clear why you aredoing it. Rules of engagement and the tactical nuances drones afford
commanders are also discussed. Advances in drone technology, combined with information domi-
nance, whether real or illusory, have become key components of US strategy.

Chapter 5: terrorist drones

An actual earthquake opens this chapter, followed by a metaphorical earthquake where, eventually,
an environmentally concerned citizen equips a drone with a radioactive payload. The threat is sym-
bolic rather than serious, but it made headlines. This type of threat had morphed into an operational
risk. Surely where a lone environmentalist had led organized terrorist groups would follow. Aerial
platforms, whether drones or crop dusters, disseminating lethal material was no longer just a hypo-
thetical concern. The use of drones for assassination attempts or as a means of inflicting damage on
key infrastructure is now central to security discussions in many countries. Boyle offers detailed
consideration of this issue, supported by the frequent use of examples. The use of drones by non-
state actors and the growing counter-drone sector are duly noted and the complexities of countering
drones are acknowledged.

Chapter 6: the all-seeing drone

The panoptic qualities of drones make them very attractive to the military, but also to law enforce-
ment agencies. Surveillance need not be limited to the visual spectrum as suitably equipped drones
can also see into the infra-red and monitor the wider electro-magnetic spectrum, including mobile
phone and other radio transmissions. Boyle offers an interesting example from Baltimore, where
citizens were being monitored by a Cessna light aircraft and their images shared with police. This
is a classic case of rights versus wrongs: citizen’s rights to privacy balanced against benefits
from reducing crime. The panoptic possibilities of drones are immense, though proponents may be

This content downloaded from

37.111.8.223 on Wed, 24 Jul 2024 07:02:48 UTC
All use subject to https://about.jstor.org/terms
 Prometheus 368
disappointed to learn that those eyes in the sky may not be a panacea to perceived problems. Drones
have been widely adopted by many police forces despite privacy concerns. Most are off the shelf
domestic varieties (commonly small quadcopters), but fixed-wing and other larger, pseudo-military
drones have also been deployed. The Baltimore case featured a crewed light aircraft, but this is just
the kind of role for which drones are ideal. Police just love drones.

Chapter 7: dull, dirty and dangerous

Another chapter and another earthquake opener, this time in Kathmandu, where ‘domestic drones’
(non-military and available at a retailer near you) quickly proved their worth in rescue operations.
Information from social media and 3D mapping software combined to offer a coherent collective
response. Boyle refers to digital humanitarians who could offer time-sensitive high-quality data as
an aid to disaster relief responders. Boyle delves into the specific benefits of drones in disaster
zones and makes lots of useful observations with the frequent support of specific examples. This is
all done while maintaining a coherent and pacey narrative style. The challenges of creating a usable
information infrastructure are noted, with the video feeds and sensors of individual drones chore-
graphed with other available data sources. From the reactive requirements of disaster responses, the
book goes on to discuss search and rescue strategies and the contribution that drones might make.
Drones are already delivering medicines and other medical material, especially in Africa.
This is helped by the availability of relatively large undeveloped open spaces close to population
centres. Delivery by drone in large cities in Europe and the United States is hampered by heavily
utilized airspace. The role of drones in peacekeeping is also considered; drones provide an attractive
means of amplifying presence when used by United Nations forces in contested zones. Drones have
a dual benefit in that they can help gather intelligence while their operational presence may also
prove disruptive to the plans of groups under observation. The chapter concludes that the use of
drones for ‘dull, dirty and dangerous missions’ (p.232) is a natural development, albeit one that
needs careful monitoring and reflection. This use of drones fits into a wider pattern of assigning
dangerous tasks to non-human entities, be they earth-bound robots or crewless space missions.

Chapter 8: the new race

Opening scene: Japanese F-15 fighter jets are scrambled to intercept an intruder over contested
islands, intercepting not a manned aircraft but a sophisticated Chinese military drone. The intercep-
tion of aircraft in national airspace zones is not uncommon, but a complicating factor here is the
heavily contested claims to islands and the related airspace. China is currently making territorial
claims and these involve drones. It will be interesting to see if this lowers or raises the likelihood of
misunderstandings, given there are no aircrew to consider in risk calculations. No danger of downed
pilots presented as trophies on television; no Gary Powers (Powers et al., 2019), John McCain
(McFadden, 2018) or John Nichols (Nichols and Peters, 1992).
Many countries are now operating drones of various types and an increasing number are
also developing indigenous drone industries. This raises lots of interesting possibilities for the pro-
liferation of drone technology as new players may be less scrupulous about their customers than
experienced exporters of arms. Boyle devotes space to key players including the United States,
Israel and China. Turkey also has an active drone industry and export programme (Iddon, 2020).
Drones, whether weapon-carrying military models or modified civilian drones, even hobby-level
drones, can have a major impact on the balance of power and on battlefield tactics.

Chapter 9: the future

The drone age evokes the stuff of both dreams and nightmares. They can be cheap, flexible and
helpful, but also lethal. Drones are in some ways a highly democratizing technology, giving new

This content downloaded from

37.111.8.223 on Wed, 24 Jul 2024 07:02:48 UTC
All use subject to https://about.jstor.org/terms
369 Book review
capabilities to a rapidly growing roster of socio-political actors. However, some actors are bad
actors. There are concerns, principally among those who currently hold the whip hand, that drones
will destabilize the established order and complicate the uncertainties of asymmetric warfare. Boyle
addresses key debates around drones by experts in technologies and politics; and he takes the oppor-
tunity to remind the reader of key themes within the book while doing so. As he notes, drones are
not an isolated technology, but part of a continuum of complex, and thus complicating, technolo-
gies. Artificial intelligence (AI) gets specific mention. He rightly notes the hype around AI, accentu-
ated by perceptions of AI shaped in the cinema (e.g., HAL in 2001 A Space Odyssey and the
Terminator movies). Whatever the actual capabilities of AI, there is undeniably a set of technologies
in development, even deployment, that offers a good impression of intelligence, even if experts
question the nature of that intelligence. I sometimes use the term ‘analogous intelligence’ when
teaching because AI may, or may not, be true artificial intelligence, but it is certainly something
analogous to intelligence. As Boyle notes, advances in AI promise truly autonomous aerial plat-
forms with no requirement for remote operators. When combined with communication networks,
numerous sensor nodes, drone swarms and further advances in information processing and interpre-
tation (even cognitive insights via AI), big changes are in the air.
Boyle ends the chapter, and the book, on a balanced note, acknowledging the tremendous
positive potential of drones, while being wary of their disruptive and destructive potential. They are
democratizing when it comes to the distribution of new capabilities, while being very destabilizing.
Countries with advanced industrial bases have an advantage over less developed countries, or non-
state actors, but that same industrial base is also vulnerable to drone and other attacks. Drones
undoubtably offer a way of narrowing the gap between top-tier military powers and those seeking
to engage them. Crewed military aviation requires a support infrastructure beyond the resources of
many potential adversaries, but military drones, or weaponized civilian drones, offer cheap and
easy ways to close this gap. Counter-drone technologies are already a lucrative product, but defend-
ing against drones is not easy.
Arthur C. Clarke’s story, Superiority, first published in 1951, describes how a force is
defeated by a technologically less advanced but numerous enemy (Clarke, 2001). The US has the
resources to engage in the wide development and deployment of arms covering the technological
spectrum, but other nations may struggle to do so. How will excellent but expensive systems cope
with good enough and plentiful systems? The USS Cole incident in 2000 is a reminder of the
effectiveness of low-technology approaches to damaging warships (Erickson et al., 2020). The
Cole attack was conducted by suicide bombers; just the kind of ‘dull, dirty, dangerous’ work
where drones can replace humans. Drones will be both friend and foe: ‘The drone is a monster,
capable of terrible acts; and it is a hero, uniting disparate technological forces into a power
greater than the sum of its parts’ (Rothstein, 2015). Joseph Schumpeter coined the phrase ‘crea-
tive destruction’ in 1942 to describe severe economic disruption arising from innovation
(Schumpeter, 1954). Drones have the potential to bring about a paradigm shift in our conception
of warfare; the kind of shift conceptualized by Kuhn (2012) in terms of scientific progress. Drones
will not deliver just another incremental improvement to the already familiar (a faster jet, a heav-
ier payload, a smarter missile and so forth), and may generate a complete rethink of current
strategies and technologies.

References

Boyle, J. (2020) The Drone Age: How Drone Technology will Change War and Peace, Oxford
University Press, New York.
Clarke, A. (2011) The Collected Stories, Gollancz, London.
Erickson, P., Loertscher, S., Lane, D. and Erickson, P. (2020) ‘Twenty years after the USS Cole
attack: the search for Justice, CTC Sentinel, 13, 10, pp.46–54.

This content downloaded from

37.111.8.223 on Wed, 24 Jul 2024 07:02:48 UTC
All use subject to https://about.jstor.org/terms
 Prometheus 370
Iddon, P. (2020) ‘Turkey’s drones are coming in all sizes these days’, Forbes, available at https://
www.forbes.com/sites/pauliddon/2020/10/04/turkeys-drones-are-coming-in-all-sizes-these-days/
(accessed December 2020).
Kuhn, T. (2012) The Structure of Scientific Revolutions: 50th Anniversary Edition, University of
Chicago Press, Chicago.
McFadden, R. (2018) ‘John McCain, war hero, senator, presidential contender, dies at 81’, New
York Times, available at https://www.nytimes.com/2018/08/25/obituaries/john-mccain-dead.html
(accessed November 2020).
Nichols, J. and Peters, J. (1992) Tornado Down, Penguin Random House, London.
Powers, F., Dunnavant, K. and Krushchev, S. (2019) Spy Pilot, Prometheus Books, New York.
Rothstein, A. (2015) Drone, Bloomsbury, London.
Schumpeter, J. (1954) Capitalism, Socialism and Democracy, Unwin University Books, London.

Philip Wane
Nottingham Trent University
[email protected]

This content downloaded from

37.111.8.223 on Wed, 24 Jul 2024 07:02:48 UTC
All use subject to https://about.jstor.org/terms