MADD Doctrine

With geopolitical tensions and shifting alliances reshaping the balance of power since World War II, the once-stable security frameworks, often referred to as the “postwar world”, are showing signs of realignment. This affects not only defense policy but also economic and climate priorities, underscoring the need for multi-purpose solutions that can address both day-to-day challenges and crisis scenarios.

I’ve been hypothesizing a concept inspired by the classic MAD Doctrine, dubbing it “Mutually Assured Drone Deployment,” or MADD. Drones, originally conceived for military or niche commercial tasks, have since proven highly adaptable: from package delivery to agricultural monitoring, from aerial shows to disaster relief.

By leaning into this multi-purpose potential, countries can develop decentralized drone-manufacturing capabilities rivaling major powers, creating a new form of deterrence rooted in flexible, dual-use technology rather than purely destructive hardware.

Revisiting MAD and Adapting It for MADD

Classic Mutually Assured Destruction (MAD) principles emerged during the nuclear age, emphasizing deterrence via the threat of overwhelming retaliation. Key elements include:

1. Deterrence
   Fear of total annihilation prevents rational actors from initiating nuclear conflict.
   
2. Second-Strike Capability
   Even after a first strike, the targeted nation can retaliate, ensuring mutual destruction.
   
3. Nuclear Parity
   Rival powers maintain a balance of forces to preserve the standoff.
   
4. Non-Defense
   Building robust anti-nuclear shields might undermine stability by tempting first strikes.
   
5. Targeting Civilian Populations
   Threatening population centers maximizes deterrent effect.

The new Mutually Assured Drone Deployment (MADD) recontextualizes these points:

1. Deterrence Through Scale
   Nations can mass-produce or reconfigure drones swiftly, making any would-be attacker hesitate.
   
2. Second-Strike Production
   Rather than focusing solely on stockpiled weaponry, the focus is on decentralized manufacturing that can ramp up or pivot, even after key facilities are hit.
   
3. Drone Parity
   Technological equivalence (from swarming algorithms to advanced sensors) balances the playing field, preventing a decisive advantage by any single actor.
   
4. Multi-Purpose Resilience (vs. Non-Defense)
   Unlike nuclear MAD’s “non-defense” stance, MADD emphasizes drone platforms that serve daily civilian needs, logistics, entertainment, monitoring, yet can convert to defense or disaster-relief roles when necessary.
   
5. Civilian Integration
   Rather than threaten civilian targets, MADD invests in civilian infrastructure (e.g., entertainment drones for events; delivery drones for commerce). That same infrastructure can be militarized or used for relief efforts on short notice.

Multi-Purpose Drones: More Than a One-Trick Pony

A major reason drones fit MADD so well is their evolutionary path, they’ve proven themselves valuable across diverse scenarios:

• Delivery & Logistics
  Efficient last-mile deliveries reduce traffic congestion and carbon emissions.
  
• Disaster Relief
  Equipped with medical payloads or sensors, drones can access flood zones, wildfire fronts, or earthquake-ravaged areas faster than conventional vehicles.
  
• Entertainment & Tech Progress
  Drone light shows and choreographed performances have pushed boundaries in flight control, battery life, and swarm coordination. Many of these entertainment-driven advancements spin off into more robust flight systems—capabilities that easily transfer to disaster management or defense contexts.
  
• Defense & Deterrence
  Modular attachments and rapid retooling mean a drone built for aerial shows could be adapted for surveillance or tactical operations, reinforcing the deterrent effect.

MADD’s Payoff: Deterrence, Resilience, and Economic Growth

1. Deterrence
   Knowing a nation can quickly muster large numbers of drones, no matter the initial blow, significantly increases the cost for any aggressor.
   
2. Resilience
   In non-war crises like hurricanes, wildfires, or pandemics, a well-developed drone infrastructure supports rapid emergency response, reducing human suffering and economic losses.
   
3. Economic Growth
   Drone-driven logistics create jobs, improve supply chain efficiency, and yield data for climate adaptation (e.g., precision agriculture, real-time resource monitoring). These benefits accrue even in peacetime.

A Note on “Climate Defense Tech”

So, is this Defense Tech? Possibly. But you could also call it “Climate Defense Tech.” After all, in 90% of scenarios, drones facilitate economic and environmental duties—delivering goods, monitoring ecosystems, or performing rescue operations. Another 10% of the time, they step in for disaster recovery. Ideally, 0% of the time would they be used for war. Yet the threat of that 0% turning to 1% must remain credible for deterrence to hold any weight.

Mutually Assured Drone Deployment is about redefining deterrence for an era of climate risk and geopolitical flux. A drone infrastructure designed for both day-to-day utility and crisis response ensures that nations aren’t forced to choose between security and prosperity. Instead, they develop flexible, dual-use capabilities that strengthen daily life while dissuading conflict.

If this approach resonates, you may also want to explore the broader concept of multi-purpose tech, which takes a systems perspective on designing solutions that address multiple challenges at once. I’ll do another write up soon about how I’ve been focusing on multi-purpose tech for some time now at Cool Climate Collective.