Recent ISIS English-language propaganda provides operational “how-to” guides intended to inspire homegrown violent extremists (HVEs) in the United States—an avenue the group will likely expand to weaponized drones, otherwise known as unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). Indeed, a recent guide release by ISIS outlined effective methods for carrying out vehicular assaults, which resulted in HVE Mohammed Naji plotting to use a truck to target the Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade in New York City. An NJOHSP review of terrorist attacks and plots in the United States since 2015 reveals HVEs have primarily used simple weapons such as firearms, vehicles, and knives, although we cannot rule out the possibility HVEs will learn how to construct and weaponize UAVs based on future ISIS propaganda. In this episode, Analysis Bureau Chief Dean Baratta asks Intelligence Analyst Travis to delve further into his insights regarding weaponized drones being utilized by ISIS.
