The video highlights the effectiveness of Ukraine's flat-pack cardboard drones, known as the Precision payload delivery system (PPDS), which were originally designed for reconnaissance and logistics resupply but have been transformed into highly effective kamikaze weapons. These drones are easily assembled in theater and have been used to launch successful strikes on Russian airfields, reportedly destroying fighter jets, missile launchers, and air defense systems. Made from waxed cardboard, they are almost undetectable by Russian radar but relatively slow, with a top speed of around 37 miles per hour. Despite their speed limitations, these drones can carry several kilos of explosives and have forced the Russians to resort to low-tech measures for protection. With a cost of around $5,000 AUD, the cardboard drones are a more affordable option compared to other military-grade systems, and Australia has been supplying Ukraine with a hundred of them every month since March.

[–] Vex_Detrause@lemmy.ca 11 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Good Bot! /s

[–] Aurenkin@sh.itjust.works 2 points 1 year ago

This would actually be useful as a bot unlike the piped linking one.

[–] Edgelord_Of_Tomorrow@lemmy.world 36 points 1 year ago

These drones are the best representation of Australia bar none.

Bastardised Nordic ideas filtered through a lens of redneck ingenuity and aggression that somehow, defying all reason, is very effective.

[–] ach@feddit.de 25 points 1 year ago (2 children)

Ukraine destroying Russian jets with Australia's flat-pack cardboard drones

ftfy

Anyway, looks easy to copy. Soon: Russian/Iranian/Chinese/North-Korean flying cardboards?

[–] chaogomu@kbin.social 11 points 1 year ago (2 children)

Russia was already using Iranian made cheap kamikaze drones, they just haven't been as cheap. The Iranian drones have a longer range and much larger payload.

[–] roguetrick@kbin.social 15 points 1 year ago (3 children)

To give a sense of the difference in the cheapness scale: this one is both held together and launched by rubber bands.

[–] Janonym@feddit.de 14 points 1 year ago

What a time to be alive.

Or die, in case you see one arriving.

[–] autokludge@programming.dev 2 points 1 year ago

Original idea:

[–] zephyreks@programming.dev 1 points 1 year ago

It's not that different in price, though: the Aussie one is 5k, while this is 10k.

[–] ilmagico@lemmy.world 6 points 1 year ago

I guess Ukraine can just send 5 or 6 of these for likely a smaller cost the iranian ones, which combined can do quite a bit of damage, and are harder to shoot dowm by air defence, just by virtue of the larger number. Of course, each has its uses.

[–] mxcory@lemmy.blahaj.zone 4 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Hobbyists have been building foam core planes for years. There is an interesting youtube channel that has made plenty, FliteTest. They have built models to drop pumpkins and watermelons, so they can be build to haul a bit of weight.

One of my personal favorites is the Thunderquak from Darkwing Duck.

https://youtube.com/watch?v=A68pu7EYhYc&pp=ygUSRmxpdGVUZXN0IGRhcmt3aW5n

[–] ach@feddit.de 1 points 1 year ago

Yeah, I think, FPSRussia is best known for their early prototype videos

[–] nomecks@lemmy.world 18 points 1 year ago (2 children)

This technology should horrify everyone.

[–] grayman@lemmy.world 10 points 1 year ago

We're super close to Snow Crash. The drones just have to be smaller and more numerous.

[–] Pyr_Pressure@lemmy.ca 3 points 1 year ago

I could imagine some terrorist ordering 100 of these then just flying them at random into some city/airport

[–] Kowowow@lemmy.ca 11 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) (1 children)

Well at least the covering planes with tires makes a bit more sense now, it's really not the worst last minute idea, long term though something like a kevlar blanket portable hangar would be much better

[–] xhci@lemmy.ml 7 points 1 year ago (1 children)

The hole in their plan with the tires is literally that… they have big holes right through the middle.

Sure, they can probably reduce some percentage of shrapnel, but the pattern these drones throw seem to be huge. I doubt it’s enough to mitigate any meaningful amount.

[–] Mangosniper@feddit.de 2 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Wasn't the tire thing to stop the contour matching so that the drones can't see/find their target?

[–] Minarble@aussie.zone 7 points 1 year ago

Payback for MH 17

[–] Xariphon@kbin.social 5 points 1 year ago

I wonder if the Night Witches would be horrified, or appreciate the irony.

[–] betwixthewires@lemmy.basedcount.com 4 points 1 year ago (2 children)

I wonder if they'll open source them.

[–] roguetrick@kbin.social 3 points 1 year ago

The software is already open source. https://www.theregister.com/2023/04/07/corvo_cardboard_drone/

[–] LetterboxPancake@sh.itjust.works 3 points 1 year ago

Or sell. Buy one, finance ten for special birthday gifts for the Russian army.

[–] Thisfox@sopuli.xyz 3 points 1 year ago

Not just targeting!