How long before drones are used for terrorism?

[benpollard]

I'm not sure if this is the right section to post this, but I've been wondering how long it will be before drones are used to commit acts of terrorism. Once they start, it will truly be "terrorism." No place will be safe or defendable -- even the White House.

The U.S. uses drones to bomb locations of suspected terrorists and often, innocent women and children are killed as "collateral damage." The drones can be controlled from pretty much anywhere in the world. We can kill indiscriminately with no loss of American lives. But we're "the good guys."

Several people have already attached guns to drones and proven that you can fire a gun from a drone -- even a machine gun! Here's a video of one by a crazy Russian:

Am I being paranoid, or is this a legitimate concern?

[al bupp]

1. Not long, IMHO /nt

[Else You Are Mad]

2. Hate to say it...

But, as you have stated, drones have been used as tools of terrorism for the last 16 years or so. That said, it is a legitimate concern, but if it is a legitimate concern, I would believe there are plans in place for such an attack.

[Wellstone ruled]

4. Agree.

And we will see more of this as Protests increase in the coming months.

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

5. Yes, I too thought drones already were being used to terrorize.

[Nitram]

9. It is not terrorism when the more powerful country employs it. It is just plain murder.

Terrorism by definition requires a large asymmetry in military power.

[NWCorona]

3. Not long at all as it is already happening in the ME

Also that video is very fake but it does illustrate the dangers nicely.

[FarCenter]

6. They can be defended against by jamming their comm links and the GPS signals.

So unless they have good inertial guidance or terrain following/image recognition way finding functions, they will become disoriented and ineffective.

[neeksgeek]

7. A William Gibson novel

More and more, life is starting to resemble a William Gibson novel.

I don't remember the title, but one of his more recent books of "near-future speculative fiction" featured a caper where the protagonist attached a taser to a drone. It was very effective.

[Nitram]

8. I'll give it 6 months.

[Baitball Blogger]

10. Wouldn't surprise me if the right-wing compound I live in starts to use them

to keep an eye on neighbors who are too aware of their indiscretions.

[moondust]

11. Yes.

It may not be the best idea to discuss it online for all the wrong parties to see and get ideas.