New capabilities in
warfare: an overview
of contemporary
technological
developments and
the associated legal
and engineering
issues in Article 36
weapons reviews
Alan Backstrom and Ian Henderson*
Alan Backstrom, BEng, MEngSci, is an automotive engineering
quality manager. He has extensive experience working with
original equipment manufactures, system suppliers, subsystem
suppliers, and component suppliers, with a particular focus on
major design validation techniques, warranty analysis, and
accident investigation.
Group Captain Ian Henderson, AM, BSc, LLB, LLM, PhD, is a
legal officer with the Royal Australian Air Force.
Abstract
The increasing complexity of weapon systems requires an interdisciplinary approach
to the conduct of weapon reviews. Developers need to be aware of international
humanitarian law principles that apply to the employment of weapons. Lawyers need
to be aware of how a weapon will be operationally employed and use this knowledge
* This paper was written in a personal capacity and does not necessarily represent the views of the
Australian Department of Defence or the Australian Defence Force. Thank you to many friends and
colleagues who generously provided comments on the draft.
Volume 94 Number 886 Summer 2012
doi:10.1017/S1816383112000707 483
