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posted by martyb on Wednesday November 15 2017, @11:32AM   Printer-friendly
from the plans-are-up-in-the-air dept.

Homeland Security bulletin warns of weaponized drones and threat to aviation

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) issued an updated terror bulletin on Thursday highlighting the threat of weaponized drones, chemical attacks and the continued targeting of commercial aircraft.

"We continue to face one of the most challenging threat environments since 9/11, as foreign terrorist organizations exploit the internet to inspire, enable or direct individuals already here in the homeland to commit terrorist acts," reads the bulletin.

[...] "The current bulletin introduces unmanned aircraft systems as potential threats and highlights sustained concern regarding threats against commercial aviation and air cargo," said DHS acting press secretary Tyler Houlton in a statement.

There's been an "uptick in terrorist interest" in using unmanned aerial systems as weapons in the United States and other western countries, according to a senior DHS official. These tactics have been used by terrorists on the battlefield, and the department wants to "guard against those tactics being exported to the west," said the official. The official said that DHS wants to be "forward leaning" about seeing what terrorists are doing overseas and tactics they might adopt in the future.

Since the last bulletin, concerns about terrorist targeting aviation sector have grown, said the official. "[T]errorists continue to target commercial aviation and air cargo, including with concealed explosives," reads the updated bulletin.

Related: UK Criminals Use Drones To Case Burglary Targets
Drones Banned from Flying Within 32 Miles of Super Bowl
FAA Updates its Ban on Drones in Washington
Prison Blames Drone for Inmate's Escape
FAA Restricts Drone Operations Over 10 U.S. Landmarks


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  • (Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Wednesday November 15 2017, @02:36PM

    by Anonymous Coward on Wednesday November 15 2017, @02:36PM (#597287)

    Fear, whether from DHS trying to justify their department/job or when an actual attack (staged or not) happens.
    Uncertainty, whether the loss of rights trumps 'improved' security measures.
    Doubt, whether any of this will help and whether giving up both your drones and privacy is worth it to save us from OMG t3h t3rr0r1stS.

    Sounds like the very definition of it to me.