Are drones ready for take-off?
Drones are set to become a more and more common sight in our skies. Just a few years ago, drones were for hobbyists or used as an extra tool for anyone looking to create striking images, from Hollywood movie makers to wedding photographers. But the potential for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) has always been much greater than that.
An obvious example is the delivery of pretty much anything a drone can carry. Retail Gazette reports that by the end of 2027, drone delivery from Wing is ‘expected to be available from 270 Walmart stores, bringing around 40million Americans within reach of ultra-fast aerial deliveries’. Amazon operates drone delivery in five US states and has started trials in County Durham. The NHS is using drones to deliver blood in London and Royal Mail has started using them for deliveries to more remote parts of Orkney. Beyond retail, the potential for drones in search and rescue, mapping or to deliver medical supplies is starting to be realised.
Possibly the biggest impact of drones to date has been on the battlefield, with Ukraine in particular becoming expert in using them to attack enemy positions, not just in Ukraine but deep into Russia. Iranian drones hit targets across the Gulf and threaten shipping in the Strait of Hormuz. As CNN notes: ‘Much like the Kalashnikov rifle in the previous century, mass adoption of drones became an asymmetric weapon of choice for forces facing long odds in global warfare, such as the Hamas militant group in Gaza; anti-junta rebels in Myanmar’s civil war; and the militaries of poorer nations, including many in Africa.’
But the proliferation of drones creates problems, too. Airports have been shut down by the presence of drones in the same airspace. Drones are now a major way to smuggle drugs and other contraband into prisons. Concerns about safety, surveillance, privacy and even espionage are leading to ever-greater restrictions on hobby uses of drones. UK regulators now insist on at least passing an online theory test if your drone weighs more than 100g and you need an Operator ID to use one with a camera. To fly one near people, you need a Certificate of Competency from the Civil Aviation Authority. China has banned drones in Beijing and exports of even modestly sized drones. The hobby market has seen a significant downturn as regulations and reduced supplies start to bite.
Could new uses of drones cut costs give a boost to the economy and allow us to do things previously impossible? Are the potential negative uses of drones so great that they must be heavily restricted? What is the future of drones?
