Rising prevalence of drone attacks in warfare and terrorism and the implications for medical management of major incidents
Abstract
As drone technology advances, the likelihood of their use in terrorism increases. The emergence of artificial intelligence-controlled drone swarms and ability to carry alternative payloads poses significant challenges and risks to civilians and emergency services, and the injury patterns observed from explosive device-equipped drones tend to affect predominantly the head and neck, chest and upper limbs. Emergency services are currently unprepared for such an incident in the UK.
Fields of Study & Subjects
Disaster Response and Management
Trauma and Emergency Care Studies
UAV Applications and Optimization
Publication details
- Journal / source
- BMJ Military Health
- Publisher
- BMJ
- Pages
- military–2026
- Publication date
- 22 May 2026
- Language
- EN