DoD Directive 3000.09 — Autonomy in Weapon Systems
United States · DoDD 3000.09 (2023)
The Defense Department's policy on autonomous and semi-autonomous weapons. Updated in January 2023, it requires every autonomous or semi-autonomous weapon system to allow 'appropriate levels of human judgment over the use of force,' undergo a multi-phase senior review before development and fielding, and comply with DoD AI ethical principles.
Technical detail
DoDD 3000.09 (Jan. 25, 2023) supersedes the 2012 directive; establishes the Autonomous Weapon Systems Review Working Group, requires senior-leader review by USD(P), USD(R&E), and CJCS prior to formal development and again before fielding; codifies the 'appropriate levels of human judgment' standard.
Who is protected: Civilians and combatants protected under the law of armed conflict; service members held to lawful targeting standards
Who must comply: Department of Defense components, military services, and DoD contractors developing or fielding autonomous or semi-autonomous weapon systems
Key facts
| Jurisdiction | United States |
|---|---|
| Level | Federal |
| Status | In effect |
| Protection strength | Moderate protection |
| Effective date | 2023-01-25 |
| Enacted | 2023-01-25 |
| Citation | DoDD 3000.09 (2023) |
| Enforced by | Office of the Secretary of Defense; Joint Staff; Service Inspectors General |
| Private right of action | No — agency enforcement only |
| Penalties | Internal DoD policy: program cancellation; UCMJ accountability for unlawful use of force |
| Topics | government use of AI · automated decision-making · AI disclosure and transparency |
| Last verified | 2026-06-17 |
| Official source | DoD Directive 3000.09 — Autonomy in Weapon Systems (Jan. 25, 2023) ↗ |
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