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Cardboard Drones: Cheap Swarms Redefine Warfare
9 May
Summary
- Cardboard drones cost $2,000-$2,500, offering mass production.
- Flat-packed design allows 500 units per shipping container.
- Drones are assembled in minutes with minimal training required.
Japan has initiated the deployment of expendable cardboard drones, developed by AirKamuy, signaling a significant shift towards low-cost autonomous warfare. These drones, named AirKamuy 150, are primarily constructed from corrugated cardboard with a water-resistant coating, costing approximately $2,000 to $2,500 each.
Their design facilitates swarm warfare due to mass production capabilities and ease of deployment. Shipped flat-packed, around 500 units can fit into a standard shipping container, with each drone assembled in five to ten minutes by minimally trained personnel. These drones can travel about 50 miles or stay airborne for 80 minutes, carrying payloads up to three pounds for reconnaissance or attack missions.
Similar cardboard drones have been supplied to Ukrainian forces by Australia, where they have been used for various operational roles. This trend moves away from protecting expensive platforms towards utilizing numerous, affordable, and rapidly replaceable autonomous systems to potentially overwhelm enemy defenses or gather intelligence.
