AMAZON’S PREDATOR: HOW THE RISE OF THE DOMESTIC DRONE INDUSTRY WILL TRANSFORM THE MILITARY-INDUSTRIAL COMPLEX

Abstract

This paper seeks to understand how modern unmanned aircraft systems (UASs) will affect the military-industrial complex once domestic drone use within United States’ airspace becomes legal. In order to predict the widespread effects of an established domestic drone industry, I begin by looking at the history of drones from their earliest uses to the modern military drones utilized today. In conclusion, my argument is that by allowing the domestic drone industry to grow, major corporations will begin to shoulder the load of drone research and development, allowing the U.S. government to feel less of the strain of their enormous defense budget. This is important because drones are an inevitable part of both future economics and future conflicts, without clear and responsible leadership by the United States this revolutionary technology could fall into the wrong hands and pose a great threat both overseas and within our nation’s borders.