Possibility and impossibility are the two mysteries we have to deal with in our lives day to day lives. Science, however, has brought these opposites closer enough. What was once impossible is possible today. CICADA is one of these impossibilities that turned out possible later. CICADA drones are special drones that have been invented by scientists to take a closer look at hurricanes.
These gliders once dropped from airplanes can directly dribble inside the hurricane to acquire data. The tiny drones popularly known as MK-5 (CICADAs) carry a sensor which is incorporated into tiny tubes and thrown straight into the hurricanes.
According to Live Science, MK-5 is a board or a circuit board which has the ability to fly. These boards are controlled from GPS. They are incorporated into the cheap material that can be disposed of after use.
CICADA drones basically are named after a flying insect. This centerpiece has a soundless motor and can fly in space undetected. The design of CICADAs underwent a change and was replaced with a flat wing and body, which is helpful in piling a bigger MK-5 circuit board in the small aircraft.
The US Naval Research Laboratory discussed that CICADA drones once thrown from an airplane had the capability to collect input, covering a large region in the sky. They further discussed that one tiny drone costs around $250.
The US Naval Laboratory is currently testing for a container that is able to deliver large amounts of drones at one time. They are looking for tube-like a containers that can be carried and discharged easily. They are looking for alternatives to airplanes like balloons, or small aircraft, etc.
They are testing drones to travel through airborne containers, after testing it they would be able to send drones in different regions. During their travel, the drones will be collecting data and this collected data will improve research in hurricanes and typhoons, probably even help us to predict them.