# Self-Destructing Delivery Drones The ICARUS Project is Developing Unmanned Self-Destructing Drones By Rahul Kalvapalle | Published 2015-10-14 | Tech Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/icarus-project References: [gizmag](http://www.gizmag.com/darpa-icarus-disappearing-delivery-vehicles/39814/) & [darpa.mil](http://www.darpa.mil/news-events/2015-10-09) The Inbound, Controlled, Air-Releasable, Unrecoverable Systems (ICARUS) project is a [DARPA](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/crane-program) initiative that aims to develop very [small, unmanned, single-use air vehicles](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/microsmall-drone) -- 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](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/unmanned-aircrafts) 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 Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 6.0/10 - Popularity: 83% | Activity: 88% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, Europe ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Tech](https://www.trendhunter.com/tech) > [Science](https://www.trendhunter.com/science) ## Key Themes ### Key Themes Behind This Trend - **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. - **Single-use Air Vehicles:** Creating single-use unmanned air vehicles for delivery purposes is a possible disruptive innovation for the aviation industry. - **Unpowered Drones:** The ICARUS project's development of unpowered drones could pave the way for more environmentally friendly drone technology for various industries. ### Where This Applies - **Logistics:** The logistics industry could benefit greatly from the use of unmanned delivery drones that are capable of self-destructing. - **Aviation:** The aviation industry could potentially benefit from creating single-use unmanned air vehicles for logistics and commercial purposes. - **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. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Parachute Delivery Systems](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/kirigami-parachute.md) - [Autonomous Cargo Gliders](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/cargo-glider.md) - [Extreme-Heat Firefighting Drones](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/firedrone-by-empa.md) - [Temperature-Resistant Delivery Drones](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/temperatureresistant-delivery-drones.md) - [Tilting Delivery Drone Concepts](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/drone-concepts.md) - [Contactless Medication Delivery Drones](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/medicine-delivery-drone.md) - [Drone-Compatible Smart Mailboxes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/smart-mailboxes.md) - [Drone-Intercepting Quadcopters](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/drone-interceptor.md) - [Streamlined Drone Delivery Networks](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/drone-delivery-network.md)