Overhead and out of control: Drone weaponization and domestic security futures

Abstract

This thesis examines the weaponization of small, commercially available drones and the emerging domestic security risks they pose within the United States. Through an environmental scanning process informed mainly by open source intelligence (OSINT), this study maps the evolution of unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), or drone, technology from its military origins to its widespread civilian adoption. Relying on evidence from active conflict zones, particularly Ukraine, and the expanding global commercial drone market, the research identifies how accessible platforms like DJI systems have blurred the line between recreational and tactical use. Analysis of the current U.S. regulatory/control mechanism landscape reveals significant gaps in oversight, particularly regarding licensing, local enforcement authority, and real-time identification systems. The study concludes with three policy recommendations aimed at mitigating the threat of domestic drone misuse: requiring transponder registration, empowering local law enforcement, and instituting a national operator licensing framework. Together, these emphasize the need for proactive regulation/control to balance innovation, privacy, and public safety in an era where the skies are increasingly shared between civilians and potential bad actors.