The first instances of people being transported by drones aren’t likely to involve sleek, certified air taxis. Instead, they’re already happening in the form of crude modifications to cargo drones used to move combat casualties and criminals. This may sound like science fiction, but the basic technology is simple enough to be implemented now, raising immediate security concerns.
The Rise of Heavy-Lift Drones
While companies like Volocopter, EHang, and Eve Air Mobility work towards aviation certification for passenger drones, commercial heavy-lift cargo drones are rapidly becoming cheaper and more capable. The DJI FlyCart 100, for example, can carry 85 kilograms for just over £10,000. These drones aren’t designed for humans, but that won’t stop some operators from using them regardless. The lack of stringent regulations in some areas means that early adoption will be driven by necessity rather than safety standards.
War Zones: A First Use Case
In Ukraine, where drone warfare is commonplace, evacuating wounded soldiers quickly is a matter of life and death. Helicopters are ideal, but too vulnerable. Uncrewed ground vehicles are already in use, but aerial drones offer a faster, smoother ride to advanced medical care. The Ukrainian armed forces have reportedly been testing drones for casualty evacuation, recognizing that timely transport dramatically increases survival rates. The urgency is clear: getting a wounded soldier to a hospital within the “golden hour” can mean the difference between life and death.
“Such drones will inevitably appear, since getting a badly wounded soldier to advanced medical care within the ‘golden hour’ dramatically increases the survival rate.” — Roy Gardiner, Defense Tech for Ukraine.
Criminal Applications: Smuggling and Extraction
Beyond war zones, criminal organizations are also showing interest in human-carrying drones. DroneSec, an Australia-based intelligence firm, has noted increased activity in this area. A recent video from Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba shows a heavy-lift drone ferrying a passenger at a training camp. These groups aren’t concerned with safety regulations; they’re early innovators in bypassing physical barriers.
The potential uses are alarming: smuggling people across secure borders, extracting prisoners from facilities, or even transporting armed terrorists into restricted areas. High walls, rivers, and canyons – once considered impenetrable – are becoming irrelevant obstacles.
The Future of Unregulated Drone Flights
Commercial passenger drones will eventually have rigorous safety features. But for those willing to risk it, unregulated drone flights are already a reality. Whether it’s a desperate soldier or a criminal organization, the demand for fast, discreet transport will drive the adoption of these technologies long before aviation authorities catch up. This means a growing need for border security and facility defenses that account for aerial threats.
The development is inevitable. The question is not if people will fly in uncertified drones, but when and where.
