Manchester University sets an impressive drone record, according to their announcement

Engineers from the University of Manchester have successfully flown what they believe to be the largest unmanned quadcopter drone ever created. However, there has been no independent verification of this claim yet. Quadcopters are drones that have four propellers. This particular drone is made out of foamboard, which gives it a cardboard-like appearance. It measures 6.4 meters (21 feet) from one corner to another. The first flight of this drone, named the Giant Foamboard Quadcopter (GFQ), took place in July at the Snowdonia Aerospace Centre. Kieran Wood, a lecturer in Aerospace Systems at the University and the pilot of the GFQ, stated that the first moments of flight are crucial for these types of multi-copter drones and require several critical factors to be considered. Luckily, the flight went smoothly without any unexpected disassembly. Weighing in at 24.5kg, the GFQ is just under the weight limit set by the Civil Aviation Authority for drones of this type. The drone was constructed using sheets of foamboard, a low-cost material that is more environmentally friendly than traditional carbon fiber. The team at the University of Manchester plans to continue working on even larger drones in the future. While the use of cardboard-like materials in drone manufacturing may seem unconventional, it has proven to be a serious business. Australian company SYPAQ has supplied fixed-wing cardboard drones to Ukraine, which are easily assembled in the field and less visible to radar. These drones were originally designed to transport supplies such as blood, but some have been modified and used for offensive purposes.