FBI Warns Explosive Drone Attack on U.S. is ‘Only a Matter of Time’

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The FBI is warning that weaponized drones capable of carrying explosives are becoming one of the fastest-growing terrorism threats facing the United States, as rapidly advancing technology gives individuals capabilities once associated primarily with militaries.

Federal investigators say improvements in drone range, payload capacity, and communications systems have significantly changed how the bureau evaluates terrorism risks, with growing attention now focused on attacks that could be carried out by individuals or small groups using commercially available aircraft.

FBI Deputy Director Chris Raia said the agency sees a shifting threat environment in which inexpensive drones are increasingly capable of being adapted for harmful use, warning that “it’s only a matter of time” before explosive drone attacks seen overseas are attempted in the United States.

“I think the biggest threat right now, kind of the five-yard target, if you will, is going to be that threat from a drone,” Raia said in an interview with Fox News Digital.

Raia said the bureau believes the greater danger now comes from isolated attackers capable of using widely available technology to carry out significant acts of violence, rather than coordinated large-scale terrorist operations.

Investigators say overseas conflicts have already demonstrated how rapidly drone warfare has evolved.

Battlefields in Ukraine and the Middle East have shown how inexpensive unmanned aircraft can perform missions ranging from surveillance to precision strikes, prompting U.S. authorities to assess whether similar tactics could eventually be used by attackers inside the United States.

Raia said the FBI is also tracking emerging communications technologies that could expand how drones are operated, including systems that rely on cellular networks rather than short-range radio controls.

He warned such developments could allow operators to control aircraft from extreme distances while complicating efforts to identify those responsible.

“That means somebody in China can control a drone over New Orleans,” he said.

Federal investigators say the concern is not theoretical.

In recent criminal cases, prosecutors have alleged suspects discussed using explosive-equipped drones in connection with planned attacks targeting high-profile events, while investigators also reviewed communications referencing major public gatherings as potential targets.

The FBI’s concern has intensified as the bureau oversees security operations tied to large-scale public events, including the FIFA World Cup.

Raia said agents have already seized roughly 300 drones and made multiple arrests involving unauthorized drone activity connected to event security, underscoring the challenges posed by unmanned aircraft in crowded environments.

He also pointed to encrypted communications platforms as a continuing obstacle for investigators, saying much of the coordination tied to potential threats occurs outside law enforcement visibility.

The bureau relies on warrants, confidential sources, undercover work, and public reporting to identify potential risks before they escalate.

Raia encouraged drone hobbyists and members of the public to report unusual activity, noting that experienced operators are often best positioned to recognize abnormal flight patterns or suspicious use.

As drone systems continue to evolve, the FBI said the challenge for law enforcement will be keeping pace with rapidly advancing capabilities that are becoming cheaper, more sophisticated, and more widely available.

Officials said preventing future attacks will depend on continued adaptation, expanded monitoring, and public awareness of emerging aerial threats.

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