Drone attacks, and protections against them have global consequences

TAMPA, Fla. (FOX 13) - The weekend’s airstrike on Saudi Arabian oil fields is a reminder that the US is not the only country using drone technology in combat.

Houthie Rebels in Yemen claimed responsibility for that attack.

"We exploited vulnerabilities in the Saudi defense system and we built our drones in order to avoid these systems,” said Houthie Leader Muhammad Al-Bukhaiti.

The United States, however, is putting blame on the Iranians who are known to back those rebels. Many question whether the rebels are capable of such an attack.

”Definitely there are other countries that utilize drone technology in a variety of different capacities,” said Ryan English, CEO at FLYMOTION. “They can be up to the size of a full-scale, fixed-wing aircraft,” he said.

FLYMOTION is a Tampa company that provides drone and anti-drone technology for local, state, federal and defense uses.

Their tech, for example, would be aimed at preventing a similar attack on critical infrastructure.

“We're working very closely with different counter-drone technology we provide to both government and private organizations that are actively implementing this technology at an active pace,” English said.

English tells FOX 13 drone technology is growing at a break-neck pace. However, while airstrikes may get most of the headlines, in many cases, drones are saving lives not taking them.

“There's some stats that over 200 plus lives saved using drone technology over the past couple years and it continues to be more adapted by public safety,” said English.

Iran is denying being involved in the attack.

Many experts believe the airstrike could lead to higher gas prices in the US.