Terrorists now have access
to inexpensive air power
the Next terrorist threat
t
taLKIng TECH
Small droNeS:
16 FEBRUARY/MARCH 2016 www.vanguardcanada.com
by greg Fyffe
SkyJib-X4 XL Ti-QR
Yuneec Q500 Typhoon
l
arge military drones have been
widely used in anti-terror cam-
paigns, particularly in the last
fifteen years. Drone technol-
ogy has now been miniaturized;
small hobby drones are widely available.
Less expensive models have ranges close
to two kilometres; more expensive models
can fly up to 25 kilometres. Not only can
drones be easily purchased, but there are
numerous Internet videos explaining how
to build one.
General use is increasing. Militaries are
advanced in their use of small drones for
surveillance; search and rescue services use
drones with cameras and infrared heat de-
tectors. Private companies are exploring the
use of drones for delivering packages.
the dark side of drones
Every technology has a potential dark side.
Will terrorist groups increase their use of
drones for reconnaissance, and begin to use
them for actual attacks?
Modern weapons and new technologies
increase the lethality of terrorist attacks. De-
velopments in light arms have dramatically
increased the reach and destructive power
of small armed units. Automatic weapons,
RPGs and remotely-controlled explosives
have made terrorist raids fast-moving and
destructive. Terrorist groups such as al
Qaeda and the Islamic State are able to at-
tract technologically sophisticated support-
ers, educated to take full advantage of com-
puter technology and modern weapons.
Terrorists now have access to inexpensive
air power.
It is very likely that terrorists will not only
use drones for scoping out targets, but will
equip them with automatic weapons and
the capacity to carry deadly materials. In-
ternet videos are already available showing
the devastating impact of drones with ma-
chine guns. Drones are filmed landing on
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