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Ukrainian army uses Corvo PPDS cardboard drones from Sypaq Australian company

Sypaq Systems is proud to be delivering sovereign Australian autonomous systems to support the Ukrainian Armed Forces thanks to investment from the Department of Defence. Following the announcement in July 2022 that the Australian Defence would be providing further funds to purchase much-needed defence technology and equipment for Ukraine, Sypaq Systems has been able to manufacture its Corvo Precision Payload Delivery System (PPDS) drones for the Ukrainian Armed Forces.
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Launched from a basic catapult system, Corvo PPDS drones can carry payloads of 3 kilograms (7 pounds) and 5 kilograms (11 pounds), depending on the model; they can fly out to 120 kilometers (75 miles) (Picture source: Sypaq)

Developed in Melbourne in partnership with the Australian Army and under a $1.1 million Defence Innovation Hub contract, the Corvo PPDS is a low-cost, expendable drone for the delivery of supplies and equipment into areas traditional logistics capabilities cannot reach. Also known as the ‘cardboard plane’, the PPDS is controlled by a military-grade guidance system that requires no user input once the aircraft is launched. PPDS drones can carry payloads of 3 kilograms (7 pounds) and 5 kilograms (11 pounds), depending on the model; they can fly out to 120 kilometers (75 miles). Though not built from durable metal or plastic, some PPDS drones have managed to make 60 flights in Ukraine. The cardboard is wax-coated to enable flights in wet weather.

Also known as the ‘cardboard drone’, the supply of the PPDS capability to Ukraine was first revealed during the Avalon Air Show in early March, with the drones being delivered as flat-packed “capability bricks” of 100 aircraft each month. The PPDS is launched by a catapult, can fly up to 120km and land by itself, delivering supplies or providing a low-cost surveillance capability. Needless to say how 'stealthy' such a cardboard drone is, making it (very) difficult for air defense systems to detect, track and either jam or shoot down. Following feedback from end-users in Ukraine, the system has been adapted for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance missions.

PPDS is being manufactured at Sypaq’s Defence Autonomy Centre of Excellence in Fisherman’s Bend, Melbourne, using components from Sypaq’s Australian supply chain. The drones come folded up to the size of a pizza box, and 24 can be packed into a container. “The flat pack is a key feature there,” Sypaq chief engineer Ross Osborne told The Australian. “We can stack these up on a pallet. We also developed modular avionics and propulsion sets that can hopefully achieve a bit of reuse.” At $1,000–$5,000 Australian dollars ($670–$3,350 USD) per drone, they’re far less expensive than a US$30 million General Atomics MQ-9 Reaper.

Sypaq CEO Amanda Holt said: “It is an honour to be supporting the Ukrainian Armed Forces. PPDS is an Australian capability that will help the Ukrainian people defend their country, and is proof of the world-leading autonomous systems capabilities in Australian industry. This capability is the result of an innovation journey with the Army and the Defence Innovation Hub, and demonstrates the importance of collaboration between Defence and industry on capability development.”

Sypaq hosted a parliamentary delegation from Ukraine on Friday 24 March 2023 at its Defence Autonomy Centre of Excellence in Fisherman’s Bend. The delegation inspected the production line for the Corvo Precision Payload Delivery System (PPDS), which is currently being provided to Ukraine by the Department of Defence through funding announced by the Australian Government in July 2022. The bipartisan delegation had the opportunity to meet with Sypaq staff involved in manufacturing the PPDS and received a briefing on the improvements being made based on feedback from end-users on the ground in Ukraine. The parliamentarians are all members of the Ukraine-Australia Parliamentary Friendship Group, and were accompanied on their visit by Ukrainian Ambassador Vasyl Myroschnychenko.

Sypaq Chairman George Vicino said: “As a veteran, I am so proud that Sypaq is supporting the Ukrainian Armed Forces as they fight for their country’s sovereignty. It was an honour to host the delegation and show them the work we are doing to innovate and improve the PPDS based on their feedback.”

Ukrainian Ambassador to Australia, Vasyl Myroshnychenko, said: “What’s important is that not only the Australian government decides to extend the program for this particular producer but would further extend its assistance this year and would be able to procure defence industry weapons and equipment for Ukraine, which has been produced and manufactured in Australia.”

Defense News March 2023