Advancing the capabilities of smart weapons has become one of the lead challenges in weapons technology. Addressing the question as to just how intelligent smart weapons can become, DM] talked to Professor Mike Hinton, one of the leading authorities in the field with over 30 years experience in weapons technology. The goal, says Professor Hinton, is the creation of an intelligent weapons system (IWS), but he stresses that this is very much work in progress and that a great many questions still need to be answered.rnThere are many challenges. Information and communication challenges are particularly prevalent. Among these is the concept of autonomy: "It is a big issue and absolutely certain to be a key feature to any intelligent weapon," says Professor Hinton. "It means you can send a weapon, for example, a guided missile, into a particular space, with an appropriate set of rules, and it can work out what it needs to do to look for targets and then make decisions about engaging them."
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