An amphibious drone that can take off from under water (video)

ArabiaWeather.com - Researchers at Johns Hopkins University have created a low-cost, corrosion-resistant drone that can stay immersed in salt water for up to two months unharmed, and can start taking off from underwater.

The researchers said that these amphibious aircraft could be used for high-risk intelligence gathering missions. It is still under development to be able to switch back and forth between different environments.

The researchers covered the most sensitive electrical components on the plane in a dry pressure vessel, to be impermeable to water, such as the four electric motors, and also by coating them with protective components.

And in lab tests, CRACUNS were left submerged in salt water for two months without showing any signs of corrosion and were still able to fly.

According to the researchers, this aircraft has the ability to operate in harsh environments, as well as the flexibility and enables the work of a wide range of potential missions.

CRACUNS are also inexpensive, made from 3D-printed parts, and can be mass-produced or used as a utility during high-risk operations for non-military use, and can also serve research institutions and marine watchdogs.

CRACUNS is still in the development phase, and currently can take off from underwater into the sky, but the next step for the team is to further improve its structure and find a way to allow it to return to the water after completing aerial missions.