Document Type

Report

Publication Date

5-2025

Abstract

Unmanned aerial systems (UAS; drones) are giving terrorists and other malign actors new ways to bypass ground‑based security and exploit the air domain. This rapid review synthesizes open sources and incident data to identify where, why, and how UAS could be used against U.S. people and places. The team conducted a literature review and a descriptive data analysis to map targeting patterns and spatial vulnerabilities. Key findings include: (1) UAS enable remote surveillance and precision payload delivery; (2) open venues and exposed building features (e.g., glass façades, rooftops, HVAC intakes) are high‑risk; (3) critical infrastructure – especially energy, transportation, communications/IT, water, and defense – presents attractive, high‑impact targets; and (4) historical UAS attacks abroad have concentrated on strategic facilities while none have been recorded in the U.S. to date. Risk‑based counter‑UAS planning, detection, and public‑private coordination by DHS and federal, state, local, tribal, and territorial partners can reduce exposure and prioritize protections where consequences would be most severe.

Comments

The PDF passed accessibility checker before upload.

Download

Share

COinS