ABSTRACT The United States’ global strategic outlook has shifted markedly since the end of major combat operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. As the United States’ strategic posture shifts, the nature of military operations is simultaneously changing rapidly. Many analysts predict that cyber-operations, autonomous weapons systems, artificial intelligence, and clandestine special forces operations will be central features in future conflicts. Although often overlooked by scholars and policy analysts, defence contractors are integral to the development and implementation of these emerging categories of warfare. This inquiry examines the evolving nature of the American defence industry and the roles corporations play in current theatres of conflict. Surprisingly, rather than becoming less reliant on defence contractors after their much-maligned performance in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, American military and intelligence agencies have become more dependent on the private sector as technology becomes increasingly central to warfare.

中文翻译：

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美国国防承包商和军事行动的未来

摘要 自伊拉克和阿富汗的主要作战行动结束以来，美国的全球战略前景发生了显着变化。随着美国战略态势的转变，军事行动的性质也在同时迅速变化。许多分析人士预测，网络作战、自主武器系统、人工智能和秘密特种部队行动将成为未来冲突的核心特征。尽管经常被学者和政策分析师忽视，国防承包商是这些新兴战争类别的发展和实施不可或缺的一部分。这项调查考察了美国国防工业不断发展的性质以及公司在当前冲突地区所扮演的角色。出奇，