Security News > 2023 > September > PhD student guilty of 3D-printing 'kamikaze' drone for Islamic State terrorists

A PhD student has been found guilty of building a potentially deadly drone for Islamic State terrorists, in part using his home 3D printer.

The prosecution said he had designed the single-use, video-transmitting "Kamikaze" drone "Somewhat inspired by the design of the Tomahawk missile," and used a 3D printer to build the wings.

During a raid, officers seized the drone, the 3D printer, and electronic devices including phones and laptops.

During Al Bared's trial, the lead prosecutor told the jury the PhD student was inspired by Russian drone strikes in Ukraine, and had designed the single-use drone to fly into a crowd or building to cause mass casualties.

Prosecutors, citing encrypted online messages and other digital communications, also said Al Bared had researched chemicals including sarin, ricin, and mustard gas, as well as looking for details on mechanical detonators and how to build an "Explosive" head for the drone.

In his defense, according to his barrister, Al Bared was described as "Mild mannered" by his friends, and claimed to have made the drone and studied IS materials - including videos of beheadings - for his own research purposes.

News URL

https://go.theregister.com/feed/www.theregister.com/2023/09/29/3d_drone_student/