Kelsey D. Atherton wrote about how non-state actors – such as terrorist groups and pirates – may soon start to operate:

• The big advantage that conventional forces have that even prominent non-state actors such as ISIS have not been able to replicate is access to an air force.
• Yet drone technology could soon change that. It has the potential of turning even small fishing boats into literal aircraft carriers.
• These could be used, for example, by pirates to perform surveillance before choosing to attack a ship.
• They could also be used to deliver heavier weapons on board a target ship, making it easier for pirates to quickly board.
• The solution to this may be lasers that can melt down incoming drones.

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Source: Popular Science