Across the world natural disasters and areas of conflict are on the increase. Traditional parachute air drops delivering relief supplies on pallets are often inaccurate, wasteful and expensive. In addition, aid organisations find that restricted access, plundering, corruption and hostile groups mean getting vital aid to those who need it is proving harder than ever. But with the latest aeronautical innovation that counts Bruce Dickinson among its supporters, these problems could soon be a thing of the past.
Pouncer is an incredible edible drone developed by Windhorse Aerospace. Every part is made out of something that can be used by those in need of aid. Its body and wings can be packed with life saving food suitable to local diets, religions and cultures. The drones can also carry water, medical supplies and aid equipment. The material the drone is made of doesn’t go to waste either as it can be de-constructed and used; the wooden frame burnt for cooking and warmth. A pre-formed shell made of biodegradable starch-based thermoplastic can be used for shelter. There are also plans to make the wing structure out of edible material for the ultimate in efficiency and sustainability.
It’s a one way journey for a drone that costs just under £500. But it’s an essential journey to help the aid agencies deliver the right type of food, to the right places at the right time to provide life saving nutrition to help sustain up to 50 people.
How Pouncer will deliver live saving aid:
- The body capsule and wings will be loaded with food that is local, nutritious and suitable for those it is trying to help.
- Then transported within 22 miles of the disaster area and launched from the back of an aircraft or from the ground via catapault.
- A small navigation system on the Pouncer will guide the drone as it glides towards its destination.
- When it reaches its destination a low-altitude parachute would deploy to set the craft down within 20 ft (7 m) of its target.
This clever solution is the brain child of Nigel Gifford. An ex-member of the British Army Catering Corps who’s completed five expeditions to Mount Everest, over one thousand parachute jumps and designed feeding programmes for soldiers operating in hostile environments. It was during this time that he saw how the current air drop system is “wasteful and expensive” and got inspiration for a new means of delivering humanitarian aid.
Speaking to Business Insider Nigel Gifford said:
“At the moment, people in a disaster zone are issued with something called a humanitarian ration (HDR).
“An HDR doesn’t recognise culture, religious beliefs or diet – you get issued with a pack that has 2,200 calories in it, and that’s it. Most of the time it’s wasted.”
He went on to explain how he was approached to create a drone that could deliver food efficiently, which is when the idea for a completely edible UAV (unmanned air vehicle).
“They were looking at conventional UAVs and I said, ‘Well, why would you bring it back? Why don’t you leave it there, and why don’t you make it all out of food?”
“I keep getting trouble with my wife at home – when we go shopping in the delicatessen, I’m the one that’s flexing the salamis to see what their tensile strength is because they’d make good spars [part of the wing structure]!”
Whilst Pouncer is still only half way through its nine stages of technical development, it’s expected to be ready for production sometime this year, the innovative thinking and creative problem solving behind the project is exactly what drew Bruce to get behind the idea and sit as Vice Chairman on the board.
