The US intelligence establishment has released a report describing a drone assault attempt on a Pennsylvania electrical substation in July 2020. The DJI Mavic 2, a commercially available drone, may have caused tens of thousands of people to lose power. It is unknown who attempted the assassination and why they did so.
Last year, in the first-ever such attack, an abandoned drone recovered in Pennsylvania sought to destroy the US electrical infrastructure. A new Joint Intelligence Bulletin has been produced by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), and the National Counterterrorism Center (NCTC).
But it’s almost certain that this isn’t the last attack of its sort, putting the hitherto safe home electrical grid in peril. In addition to cyber disruption and extortion, public utilities in the United States are facing a new physical threat.
While hackers may shut down a grid remotely, saboteurs could physically attack a grid node, causing physical damage that could take days, weeks, or even months to repair.
What is a Drone and How Does it Work?
The unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) is a drone that does not have a human pilot. It may fly independently through the air or be set to fly in a certain location.
UAVs are employed for a variety of applications, including military and commercial. They’re growing more popular as their capabilities and price points improve.
How Drones are Disrupting the Power Industry
Drones are being utilised more and more to monitor the electrical system. They can assist in the case of a power grid assault by locating any downed power lines and relaying that information to human operators.
Drones are gaining in popularity as a result of their capacity to collect high-resolution photographs and videos from afar, which is important for monitoring power lines and other infrastructure.
What Happens When Drones Attack the Power Grid?
One of the most significant pieces of infrastructure in the United States is the electrical grid. It serves millions of people with electricity and water. As a result, it is a desirable target for attackers, as it has the potential to do significant harm if not well safeguarded.
The electricity grid is a complicated and sensitive system that relies heavily on technology to operate effectively. For decades, the system has been vulnerable to cyberattacks, and the 2016 DDoS onslaught was only one indication of how vulnerable the electrical grid is.
Drones are becoming increasingly popular as an attack weapon, and hackers have used them to bring websites down, steal data, and even do bodily harm.
What are the Risks of a Drone Attack on the US Electrical Grid?
The electrical grid in the United States is the country’s backbone. It’s a massive system with several power plants, transmission lines, and distribution networks.
What are the dangers of a drone strike on the US power grid?
A drone attack on an electrical system carries a slew of dangers. The most crucial is that it has the potential to result in long-term blackouts. For those who reside in places with high population density and low electricity rates, such as rural areas or small towns, this might be quite dangerous.
Conclusion: The Future of Drones in the US Electrical Grid
Drones have recently been a hot issue in the headlines. They’re assuming a new position in the US electrical grid, one that’s likely to alter how electricity is generated and supplied.
In conclusion, drones will be playing a vital role in the future of America’s power grid. They appear to be a crucial element of our country’s infrastructure for years to come, given their capacity to deliver power in distant sections of the country and their promise to make electricity more dependable. A drone without a human pilot is known as an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). It may fly through the air on its own or be programmed to go to a certain area.
Related Articles: