Some of the kookiest drones ever created

Pop-up drone

Created by Bird Aerospace, this drone fires 300 feet into the air, self-assembles while mid-air, and can navigate around for up to 3 hours. Wow. It can stream HD video back to a pilot who’s 20 miles away. Footage gathered from the flight can be stored on an SD card inside the drone.

Sonar Drone PescadAero

PescadAero is a flying sonar apparatus that specializes in completing tasks while in coastal territories. The drone can land in any body of water to gather footage with the camera. While the camera bobs about on the water’s surface, the sonar drops down into the ocean’s depths. For example, the sonar device can map out the floor of a riverbed while it flows downstream. This technique can be used by the Navy, during missions like when underwater mines need to be navigated. When the mapping is done, PescadAero can take off into the air from the water.

Northrop Grumman RQ-4 Global Hawk

This drone holds the UAV world flying record for traversing 8,214.44 miles during one trip.

Matrix Software

A completely autonomous helicopter.

BioSwimmer

The purpose of this robot is to inspect ships' hulls and other underwater items while propelling itself through the water like a tuna fish.

SAAB Skledar V-200 

This heli-drone can skillfully perform in electronic warfare.

Intelligent Blimp

This drone can gain direction from radio or manual control. Originally the U.S. Army had plans to develop this project, but has since pulled the plug on this effort. The British have since begun being prototypes and such of this technology.

Underwater Fish Robot

This drone can carry sonar and look for underwater mines and submarines. It has received funding from the Office of Naval Research. The Department of Homeland Security has expressed interest in this invention.

Snowgoose

An Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) by nature, the Snowgoose was produced to deliver cargo. As used by the U.S. military, this delivery system uses GPS-guided parafoil technology to successfully deliver small parcels of things like ammo, supplies, and food. This UAV can carry up to 600 pounds.

Nimbus Eos UAV

The Nimbus Eos UAV combines elements of your run-of-the-mill airplane with hang glider capabilities and a lightweight dirigible. It uses helium in low-density to take off without a runway and fly for up to 3 hours at a time.

Story via Jalopnik, Popsci