Definitions

In this Act: (1) Autonomous weapon system The term autonomous weapon system means a weapon system that, once activated, can select and engage targets without further intervention by a human operator. (2) Congressional defense committees The term congressional defense committees has the meaning given that term in section 101(a) of title 10, United States Code. (3) Ultimate human responsibility The term ultimate human responsibility, with respect to a weapon system, means the ability of a human commander or operator to exercise informed human agency— (A) to understand the operational context of the weapon system through training, capacity building, and integration of design and testing features that strengthen human understanding and effective oversight; (B) to supervise, intervene in, or terminate the use of force by the system, thereby guaranteeing human responsibility when appropriate given system design; and (C) to ensure compliance with all applicable United States law and international law, including applicable treaties, weapon system safety rules, the law of armed conflict, and rules of engagement. (4) Use of force The term use of force means the application of kinetic lethal or non-lethal military force against a target.