I was checking a video on the Flite Test YouTube Channel, the channel for those who build remote control planes and helicopters for a hobby. One, I like the channel since they have hand build cool drones; and two, I wanted to watch again the Kraken, the stable and big flying wing the Flite Test guys built and actually became famous amongst their subscribers. They also released the plans on how to build one.  But I was more interested in the Kraken with the mod they did it to it --- they turned it into an airsoft gunship.

In the video, you can watch the Kraken Airsoft Gunship that goes up and try to shoot another, albeit unarmed Kraken. With the use of FPV (First Person View), two operated the gunship, one for flying the drone, the other for operating the airsoft gun turret mounted on it. The FPV is an important tool for such as you can operate a drone with real time video, and seeing what the drone actually sees in front. The airsoft gun turret has its own FPV, so the gunner can swing the turret, allowing it to shoot at the other Kraken at different angles.

There are airsoft drone prototypes that you can find on YouTube and they're interesting enough that if airsoft event organisers allow their use, then it opens up a whole new way of playing airsoft. Not only will you be ducking from the opposing team's fire, they may just have drones flying overhead to lay covering fire or dig you out from whatever you're hiding in. You'll find comfort if your own team can have its own airsoft drone to take it out and bring the battle to the enemy.

Sounds fun, isn't it? Well, we need first the ground (eerr… air?) rules on airsoft drones in actual airsoft games, milsim included. Surely, you wouldn't want your investment in such a drone, which can be expensive, just go down in pieces after being peppered with BBs. The best really is to hit a mounted paper target that when shredded by airsoft gunfire means that it is off the game. But I'm open to better suggestions.  Also, care should be needed to protect the expensive cameras used for FPV and video recording on the drone.

But if you don't care about the investment and willing to do some serious battle with other drones, then prepare for some aerial combat.  We've watched robot wars where their makers make them ready to pummel other robots into scrap metal, then why not bring in the aerial drone wars? With all talks of drone pilots being the future aces in the air, then these hobbyist airsoft drone wars sure can lay the foundations for the future protectors of the country's air space.

The rule is simple, shoot the other drone down with your drone being able to land safely even if already heavily damaged from airsoft BBs.  Whilst the rule is simple, preparing a drone to take heavy damage and even stay up in the air longer requires a lot of engineering skills. Thus, the investment will go up and will probably cost more than the off-the-shelf civilian drones in the market as you will need a custom drone.

Will it happen? Who knows, with a growing number of civilian drone enthusiasts around the world, it may just evolve to that as it's going to be a battle of flying skills and engineering ingenuity. If I were to get into this hobby, I'd call my drone the "Sopwith Camel".