ABSTRACT In contemporary warfare, data science is crucial for the military in achieving information superiority. To gain an overview of the topic, 158 peer-reviewed articles were analysed through a semi-systematic literature review. The proportion of social science literature with a focus on risks of data science implies that policymakers are disproportionally influenced by a pessimistic view on military data science. The perceived risks of data science, however, are hardly addressed in formal science literature. Additionally, when levels of war are taken into account, relatively low attention for the operational level is observed. Literature reflects an emphasis on the tactical level when it comes to opportunities for military data science. On the contrary, studies examining the risks of military data science mostly consider the strategic level. Consequently, domain-specific requirements for military strategic data science may not be expressed. Lacking such applications ultimately leads to suboptimal strategic decisions in today’s warfare.