LONDON - Recent years have seen a marked and rapid technological development in the capacity and availability of drones or ‘Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS)’. And, as with so many technological advancements, it has not taken long before such drones have been employed by those who seek to spread terror. Today, with limited financial investment and minimal innovation, terror groups can use drones to gather information or – of more concern – to modify them for use as improvised guided weapon systems.

Most notably, over the past two years, drones have been increasingly used by terror groups as the means to deliver improvised explosive devices (IEDs). And the methods used for weaponising such consumer drones have been shown to be simple and effective.

The implications and responses to this threat are examined in detail in AOAV's latest report on terror drones.

The report examines the historical use of terror drones to the growing threat in current and future conflicts. Additionally, the paper considers counter-measures and how these might be best implemented.