Ukraine uses ‘cardboard’ drones to destroy ships on Russian territory

It’s equipment donated by Australia. Cost less than $3500 eacha relatively inexpensive value by military standards.

Is about cheap ‘cardboard’ drones They are supplied flat packed and secured with elastic bands. This innovative element has given Ukraine an unexpected advantage on the battlefield.

A representative of the Ukrainian military intelligence this Thursday assured that four Russian Ilyushin-76 military transport aircraft were destroyed in a drone attack launched by Kiev against an airfield in the Pskov region of northwestern Russia.

In addition, a recent Ukrainian attack damaged five fighter jets at a Russian airport and was carried out with these ‘cardboard’ drones donated by Australia.

Manufactured by the Australian company SYPAQ, the drone is called the Corvo Precision Payload Delivery System, or PPDS for short. It arrived in Ukraine in March, when the Australian government announced it would send at least 100 a month as part of a $20 million aid package, The Australian reported.

SYPAQ says it’s quick to assemble the drone from its parts: a lightweight dashboard frame, propeller unit, and avionics system that soldiers can program with a target location. The drone can carry up to 6.6 pounds, making it useful for drug or ammunition delivery.

To adapt it for reconnaissance, soldiers simply cut a hole in the drone for a camera to see through, SYPAQ manager Michael Partridge told IT news channel The Register.

Developed in Melbourne in collaboration with the military and under a $1.1 million contract for the Defense Innovation Center, the Corvo PPDS is a low-cost, expendable drone for the delivery of supplies and equipment to areas where traditional logistics capabilities can’t reach .

Also known as a “cardboard plane”, the PPDS can take off, fly up to 120 km and land on its own, providing true autonomy and removing the soldier’s cognitive load during the operation.

Cardboard is “transparent to radar, so harder to detect,” Oklahoma State University drone researcher Jamey Jacob told Popular Mechanics. Business Insider.

Following feedback from end users in Ukraine, the system has also been adapted for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance missions.

“It is an honor to support the armed forces of Ukraine. PPDS is an Australian contribution that will help the Ukrainian people defend their country and is a testament to the leading autonomous system capabilities in Australian industry,” said Amanda Holt, Executive Director of SYPAQ. (JO)

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