"In recent years, drones have become an integral part of modern warfare. On the battlefield, we've undeniably entered the age of precise mass in conflict, where low-cost attributable drones, powered by widely available commercial technology, open software, and AI, are now the most effective weapons. They can be hidden in plain sight and then launched to destroy targets thousands of miles away from active battlefields."
"In June 2025, for instance, they were used by Ukraine to destroy 10 percent of Russia's bombers on the tarmac as part of Operation Spider Web. That same month, Israel also launched clandestine drone attacks from within Iran to destroy military and nuclear sites. In April, Houthi rebels used drones and cruise missiles to attack the USS Harry Truman-a Nimitz-class aircraft carrier-in the Red Sea. The carrier swerved so hard to avoid being struck, it tumbled a $56 million F-18 off its deck."
Low-cost commercial drones, combined with open software and AI, now enable precise mass attacks that can be launched covertly and strike targets thousands of miles away. Recent operations demonstrated destructive capability: Ukraine used drones to destroy 10 percent of Russia's bombers in June 2025; Israel launched clandestine strikes from within Iran; Houthi rebels nearly struck the USS Harry Truman, causing a $56 million F-18 to fall off the deck. The U.S. military created Rogue Squadron and Blue UAS in 2017 to adopt commercial drones, but defenses remain insufficient, making a domestic drone attack in 2026 highly likely.
Read at WIRED
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