Drones have become an integral part of the Russia-Ukraine war. Turkish Bayraktar TB2 by Ukraine or Iran’s Suicide UAVs Shahed-136 deployed by Russia, both sides are using drones for both surveillance and combat.
Now, Australia is sending low-cost drones made out of cardboard, nicknamed the ‘Flying Pizza Box’ to Ukrainian forces.
The Melbourne-based company SYPAQ Systems has delivered several “Corvo Precision Payload Delivery System” (PPDS) drones to the Armed Forces of Ukraine. These drones are made of waxed cardboard held together with heavy-duty rubber bands.
The Corvo cardboard drone comes as a flatpack that can be easily assembled and launched with a catapult. It has a flight range of up to 75 miles (120 km).
These drones can be equipped with cameras and other sensors for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance missions over Russian-occupied territory. These cardboard drones cost just $3000 each and can deliver ammunition, food, and medicine directly to the front line. In addition, they can drop small explosive devices.
In February, the Australian Government announced that it would donate hundreds of drones to the Ukrainian Armed Forces. About 100 Australian drones are delivered every month.
