The ICARUS Project is Developing Unmanned Self-Destructing Drones
Rahul Kalvapalle — October 14, 2015 — Tech
The Inbound, Controlled, Air-Releasable, Unrecoverable Systems (ICARUS) project is a DARPA initiative that aims to develop very small, unmanned, single-use air vehicles -- that are completely unpowered -- that can easily be dropped from aircraft to deliver supplies to isolated locations, before self-destructing and disappearing once their job is done.
DARPA being DARPA, the ICARUS project is obviously in existence only because it has interesting military applications. However, it could also be used in other environments and contexts, to deliver food and medicine to communities that have been struck by epidemics or natural disaster. Whatever the environment, the drones would be able to drop their supplies before self-destructing.
The self-destructing mechanism has the obvious advantage of ensuring that the drone technologies do not end up in enemy hands, but they could also reduce costs -- by getting rid of the need to disassemble the drone and bring it back home -- and environmental problems
DARPA being DARPA, the ICARUS project is obviously in existence only because it has interesting military applications. However, it could also be used in other environments and contexts, to deliver food and medicine to communities that have been struck by epidemics or natural disaster. Whatever the environment, the drones would be able to drop their supplies before self-destructing.
The self-destructing mechanism has the obvious advantage of ensuring that the drone technologies do not end up in enemy hands, but they could also reduce costs -- by getting rid of the need to disassemble the drone and bring it back home -- and environmental problems
Trend Themes
1. Self-destructing Drones - Developing unmanned delivery drones that self-destruct after completing their task could change the logistics industry and reduce costs and environmental pollution.
2. Single-use Air Vehicles - Creating single-use unmanned air vehicles for delivery purposes is a possible disruptive innovation for the aviation industry.
3. Unpowered Drones - The ICARUS project's development of unpowered drones could pave the way for more environmentally friendly drone technology for various industries.
Industry Implications
1. Logistics - The logistics industry could benefit greatly from the use of unmanned delivery drones that are capable of self-destructing.
2. Aviation - The aviation industry could potentially benefit from creating single-use unmanned air vehicles for logistics and commercial purposes.
3. Environmental Technology - The development of unpowered self-destructing drones generates an opportunity for environmental technology to contribute to the drone industry by providing a more sustainable form of drone technology.
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