In the UK, They Developed a 3D-Printed “Kamikaze Drone” to Help Ukraine
The UK has developed and tested a number of secret unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) to support Ukraine. Among the drones is a 3D-printed delta-wing “kamikaze drone” created as part of a rapid development program to deter Russian aggression in Ukraine.
“The UK has repeatedly supplied drones to Ukraine. We don’t know what exactly was included in the aid package,” wrote on Twitter Gabriele Molinelli. “But QinetiQ mentions a “unique 3D printed delta-wing kamikaze drone.”
QinetiQ is a defense technology corporation headquartered in the UK. Designed for single use, the kamikaze drone is capable of carrying a payload to a target.
The 3D-printed kamikaze drone is part of a larger UK government initiative called KINDRED, which is exploring what types of weapons and technologies Ukraine could field in the coming months.
The unmanned aerial vehicle program was delivered quickly, with the QinetiQ-led team given just three weeks to demonstrate a variety of new unmanned aerial vehicles to senior UK Ministry of Defense officials.
“Back in 2015, the University of Southampton Laser Sintered UAV (SULSA) became the world’s first 3D printed unmanned aerial vehicle, launched from the River class ship HMS Mersey using a catapult,” the company said.