They have such an ability right now. They could easily get a fleet of quarter scale R/C aircraft with autonomous control ala pixhawk, load them up with explosives and fuel, and send them on a one way trip to the big city. Maybe $5-10k ea. The first attack would likely be very successful, because nobody is ready for it. Expect effectiveness to degrade over time as air defense systems and fighters are deployed.

I wouldn't expect them to do this, though, because anyone contemplating such a thing would realize the response would be immediate and decisive. Cartels are after all business organizations, and you can't do business if you're spending all your time dodging hellfire missiles.

Yep. A 9-11 Afgan style response would be much easier when the perps are literally next door.

This may create a market opportunity for "personal Iron Dome" like products. Perhaps it’s not too late to apply for the next YC opportunity?

Bay Area gated communities, with Google and Facebook shuttle buses, and anti cruise missile defence systems built by YC funded "peace" startups.

Be right back, quickly buying up some realestate...

You'll want a defense against aerosols too.

I mean, all the homeowners can just shelter-in-place in their Cybertruck that's required to be parked in the drive by the HOA rules, and use it's HEPA filters, right?

I don't really think there's a market for personal Iron Dome products. If nothing else the interceptors are inherently seriously restricted items that simply wouldn't be legal under any conditions in a suburban environment. The high power amateur rocket community bumps into this all the time--most people are not in a position that there is any possible way for them to comply with the hazmat rules regarding their rocket motors (you do *not* want one of those lighting off in a house fire!) They buy their motors at the launch site from those who are able to comply with the hazmat rules.

I have an even hazier understanding of the hazmat rules on possession and transport of explosives. When they blow down a building around here bringing in the explosives is something of an event and not done until the last minute because they're not allowed to store them on site.

Not to mention that explosives + motor falls deep into NFA stuff if it's legal at all. Or look at Mythbusters. All the explosions on the show? Nope, permits to do most of that simply do not exist. Behind the scenes it was actually being done by the local bomb squad.

Now, Iron *Beam* is another matter. I'm not aware of any applicable rules.