The Logic of Terrorist Use of Unmanned Aerial Systems, Enabling Factors, and Barriers to Exploitation: Rapid Review A

Authors

Austin C. Doctor, University of Nebraska at OmahaFollow
Suat Cubukcu, Towson University
Joel Elson, University of Nebraska OmahaFollow
George Grispos, University of Nebraska at OmahaFollow
Tyler McCoid, University of Nebraska at OmahaFollow

Document Type

Report

Publication Date

4-2025

Abstract

Drones—also called unmanned aerial systems (UAS)—are increasingly attractive to terrorists because they open an inexpensive path to the air domain and can be adapted for surveillance, targeted strikes, logistics, and propaganda. This rapid review synthesizes academic and gray literature to map who is using UAS, how they are used, and why they are chosen over other tactics, and then assesses environmental factors that enable or constrain adoption. In a structured review of prior studies and reporting on organizations such as ISIS, the Houthis, and others, plus U.S. incident indicators, the researchers found that: (1) UAS provide precision and disruption more than mass-casualty effects to date; and (2) enabling factors (e.g., network ties, easy access, training, and a cost advantage over countermeasures) are outpacing barriers (e.g., operator exposure, retrofit skill, current lethality limits, and munition access). DHS and partners should expect broader, more frequent UAS-enabled activity and plan for scalable counter‑UAS (C‑UAS) responses.

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Recommended Citation

Doctor, Austin C.; Cubukcu, Suat; Elson, Joel; Grispos, George; and McCoid, Tyler, "The Logic of Terrorist Use of Unmanned Aerial Systems, Enabling Factors, and Barriers to Exploitation: Rapid Review A" (2025). Reports, Projects, and Research. 142.
https://digitalcommons.unomaha.edu/ncitereportsresearch/142