You might find "Rule 34"[1] has some interesting ideas for automation and control.

[1] http://www.amazon.com/Rule-34-Charles-Stross/dp/0441020348/c...

From Rule 34[1]:

Ever since Filipino Jemaah Islamiyah hackers pwned an MQ-9 Reaper and zapped the governor of Palawan with USAF-owned Hellfire missiles, the Americans have gone back to keeping a human finger on the trigger: not because a state governor from a foreign country was killed, but because of who was in the armoured limousine right behind him. (The prospect of having to utter the term collateral damage in the same sentence as President of the United States before a congressional enquiry had focussed a few minds.)

[1] http://www.amazon.com/Rule-34-Charles-Stross/dp/0441020348/c... (his referral tag, not mine)