Far-Right Extremists Eye Cheap Drones as Weapons in Future Domestic Attacks
Drawing inspiration from modern warfare, America’s far-right extremist movement is increasingly focused on first-person viewer (FPV) drones—cheap, off-the-shelf or home-built flying machines—as potential weapons in what they imagine to be a future war against the US government. This growing obsession has federal authorities on high alert.
Inside both open forums and closed extremist networks, discussions are rampant about how low-cost drones are reshaping battlefields in places like Ukraine and how they could become critical in a so-called “second civil war.”
Terrorist Playbook in the Making
“ISIS, drug cartels, and even the war in Ukraine have shown how drones can be game-changers,” said Joshua Fisher-Birch, an analyst who has tracked extremist groups for nearly a decade. “Domestic extremists could easily adapt the same tactics for reconnaissance or offensive strikes.”
Evidence of this danger is already surfacing. A neo-Nazi in Nashville recently plotted to bomb a power station with a drone before being stopped by police. Extremist chatter online openly praises how criminal groups use FPVs as force multipliers, with one Telegram post urging followers to “just look south” at the cartels for lessons.
FBI’s Rising Concern
Sources confirm that the FBI is deeply worried about accelerationist neo-Nazis and other ultra-violent groups seeking to weaponize drones for domestic terrorism. These groups have a history of targeting infrastructure and plotting mass casualty events, and the sudden accessibility of FPV drones could supercharge such plans.
Even more troubling is the involvement of military-trained extremists. A self-proclaimed ex-member of the now-defunct but designated Atomwaffen Division (AWD) bragged on Substack about his drone expertise, saying:
“The future is cheap, 3D-printed drones with explosives strapped to them.”
This writer, a former US Marine, detailed drone tactics and even encouraged fellow extremists to invest in FPV systems, emphasizing their role in future insurgency tactics.
Recruitment of Veterans
Groups like the Base—another extremist network long under federal investigation—actively seek veterans and active-duty soldiers to train recruits in paramilitary operations. Its leader, Rinaldo Nazzaro, once offered cash incentives to veterans willing to share their combat knowledge.
The ex-AWD writer himself warned his followers: “Leave bomb-making to specialists, but every extremist should own a drone for reconnaissance.”
Legacy of Violence
The Atomwaffen Division’s founder, Brandon Russell, a US Army veteran who idolized Timothy McVeigh, was recently convicted of plotting to destroy Maryland substations to cripple the Baltimore power grid. Analysts like Fisher-Birch argue that extremists with military experience and drone expertise represent a uniquely dangerous threat.
“Violent far-right groups actively hunt for individuals with military skills,” Fisher-Birch explained. “Drone operators are especially valuable.”
A Dangerous New Battlefield
Drone warfare has become essential in modern conflicts, and extremists are watching closely. As far back as 2019, groups like the Base discussed how drones could disrupt aircraft. In 2022, another neo-Nazi group posted videos of drone-led “reconnaissance” in suburban areas as part of planning exercises.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has already warned in its threat assessments that extremists could use drones to collect intelligence, drop explosives, or sabotage critical infrastructure.
Yet enforcement is tricky. With FBI resources stretched thin and counter-terrorism efforts against far-right groups deprioritized, officials are struggling to keep pace with the accelerating threat.
Extremists Inside the Military
Perhaps most chilling is how easily extremists slip through military screening. The ex-AWD writer bragged:
“I gained a security clearance despite the FBI knowing about my ties to Atomwaffen.”
He went on to claim there are multiple neo-Nazis in the US military today, highlighting the ongoing vulnerability of America’s security apparatus.