New Mexico Tech engineers turn stuffed birds into spy planes

  • Reading Time:2Minutes

The aim of the grotesque experiments is to create ornithopters that resemble real birds to the hilt, so they can observe nature or spy on humans at will. New Mexico Tech scientists have developed flying drones utilizing body parts from stuffed dead birds, with potential applications in wildlife monitoring and military reconnaissance.

These ornithopter drones, presented at the AIAA SciTech Forum, imitate the flight process of birds and are constructed from mechanical components, including propellers for thrust. The taxidermy components are combined with the artificial mechanisms to closely simulate the appearance and movement of birds. The researchers have conducted two flight tests with parts from pheasants, pigeons, ravens, and hummingbirds, while using aerodynamic simulators to refine wing flaps.

Though difficult to construct and not very efficient for flight, the drones have practical value for research and development, as they have a non-disturbing appearance in nature and offer opportunities to improve existing ornithopter designs.

The use of pigeon spies is not currently feasible, but research has been conducted to improve the efficiency and performance of drone technology for surveillance purposes. The New Scientist reports that experiments have shown that replacing drone engine parts can reduce noise and increase longevity, and the development of flexible hinge heads can enhance wing flexibility during flight.

The ultimate goal is to create drones with legs, allowing them to sit and observe when needed and conserve battery power. However, current drones are not as agile or efficient as actual birds, and improved wing articulation and reduced noise are necessary for effective spying or surveillance. Despite progress, ornithopters have yet to be developed into fully functional aircraft.

Source: newscientist.com

Recent article

EVTOL & VTOL News & Articles

The flying ambulance arrives at lightning speed

EVTOL & VTOL News & Articles

The electric car revolution could continue in the air

EVTOL & VTOL News & Articles

Unmanned aerial taxis flew in a unique formation

Electric airplane News & Articles

NASA’s Innovations: Soaring into an Electrified Flight Future

EVTOL & VTOL News & Articles

Could eVTOLs and Air Taxis Replace Public Transport ?

Additional aircraft News & Articles

The Morphobot: An Innovation in Multimodal Robotics

News & Articles Points of interest

The Dawn of AI Air Travel: Airbus and its Vision for Autonomy

Air taxi News & Articles

Volocopter’s High-Flying Ambitions for the Olympics

News & Articles Propulsion-Fuel

The Horizon of Aviation: Airbus’ Vision for 2035 and Beyond

EVTOL & VTOL News & Articles

A Shift in Aviation Licensing and Training

Drones News & Articles

Russia’s Path to Drone Supremacy

Air taxi News & Articles

Israel’s Pioneering Venture into Drone Transport

Air taxi News & Articles

More efficient air taxis in the future

Air taxi News & Articles

Testing of perhaps the most promising air taxi begins

Additional aircraft News & Articles

Navigating the Future: Autonomous Helicopters Soar High

EVTOL & VTOL News & Articles

Embracing the Future: Seoul’s Leap into Urban Air Mobility
More articles you may be interested in...

Air taxi News & Articles

The Coming Electric Air Taxi Revolution: Competing with Train Tickets ?

The Dutch company, Electron Aviation, is making a bold promise that is set to disrupt.......... READ MORE

News & Articles Propulsion-Fuel

Unveiling the Whisper of Innovation: CycloTech’s Exploration into CycloRotor Noise Levels

In the fast-paced realm of aeronautical engineering, the introduction of CycloRotors has heralded a paradigm.......... READ MORE

Points of interest

Sailing the Skies in Style: Airbus’s Novel Vision for Air Travel

Navigating the dawn of a fresh chapter in aviation, Airbus recently shared its audacious plans.......... READ MORE

Drones News & Articles

Boosting Agriculture: A Drone Revolution Awaits in Budapest

The stage is set in Hungary, as it stands on the brink of an exciting.......... READ MORE

News & Articles Propulsion-Fuel

Embracing the Future with Rolls-Royce’s Revolutionary UltraFan Engine

Just when you thought the apex of innovation had been reached, Rolls-Royce challenges the notion.......... READ MORE

Air taxi News & Articles

Testing of perhaps the most promising air taxi begins

For some of us, the very idea of an air taxi evokes scenes straight out.......... READ MORE

Additional aircraft News & Articles

Navigating the Future: Autonomous Helicopters Soar High

Unmanned helicopters are no longer a concept in some futuristic Sci-Fi novel. They're here, revolutionizing.......... READ MORE

EVTOL & VTOL News & Articles

Embracing the Future: Seoul’s Leap into Urban Air Mobility

In an audacious move to revolutionize its transport system, Seoul - the bustling South Korean.......... READ MORE