Disappearing Drones

Disappearing Drones

     Icarus was a boy in a Greek myth. ICARUS also stands for "Inbound, Controlled, Air-Releasable, Unrecoverable Systems." DARPA believes that they can make one-use drones that collapse when needed. They are investing $8 million to create a drone that can be used to bring people supplies in a natural disaster or war zone and, of course, fall apart when needed.

     The requirements for the drone is that it has to be able to carry a three pound package, drop that package gently within 32 feet of targeted area, have a wingspan of less than 10 feet, and be able to fly in a straight line for 90 miles when released at 35,000 feet. DARPA wants the drone completed in 26 months (a little over two years). The collapsing part of the drone has to happen within four hours of delivery or within 30 minutes of civil twilight. My guess is that it will either collapse when hit with water, or it will have to be activated.