US Army initiates drone project for front-line blood delivery

The US Army has launched the ‘Army Blood Link’ project, seeking specialized drones to deliver blood products directly to wounded soldiers at the front lines. The initiative aims to overcome the dangers of transporting medical supplies via traditional ground routes, which are often subject to mines, shelling, and enemy drone activity.

The required drones must be capable of carrying between 16 kg and 23 kg of cargo, specifically designed to hold up to 20 units of blood products. These drones must operate autonomously or without direct human control to deliver payloads precisely.

Technical requirements include a specialized temperature-controlled container capable of maintaining stability for up to three hours in extreme environments, ranging from -9°C to 49°C. Additionally, the drones must have a minimum one-way transport radius of 30 km and a total mission range of up to 100 km, with a launch capability within 30 minutes of a request.