Japan has begun fielding an unusual new weapon in modern warfare: combat drones made primarily from corrugated cardboard. The AirKamuy 150, developed by Japanese startup AirKamuy, is a fixed-wing unmanned aerial vehicle designed for affordability, rapid production, and expendable missions. Priced at just $2,000 to $2,500 per unit, these drones are dramatically cheaper than traditional military UAVs. They can be shipped flat-packed and fully assembled in approximately five minutes. Defense Minister Shinjirō Koizumi confirmed that the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force has already begun using the AirKamuy 150 drones, primarily as aerial targets for training and testing. Despite their simple construction and water-resistant cardboard body, the drones deliver respectable performance: a top speed of about 62 mph (100 km/h) and a flight endurance of up to 80 minutes. Their lightweight design, low radar signature, and ease of manufacturing allow for mass production using standard cardboard facilities rather than specialized aerospace factories. This creates a resilient, decentralized supply chain capable of rapid scaling. The AirKamuy 150 represents a growing global trend toward low-cost, high-volume “attritable” drones designed for swarm tactics and one-way missions. By prioritizing quantity, affordability, and quick replacement over durability, Japan is embracing a new model of aerial warfare where losing drones is both expected and economically sustainable.

"(Ghost) Riders in the Sky: A Cowboy Legend" is a cowboy-styled country/western song written in 1948 by American songwriter Stan Jones. Lawrence Welk and His Orchestra released this unforgettable instrumental version in 1961.