American scientists are nurturing a plan to transform dead birds into drones for surveillance and monitoring purposes.
The field of science is always full of intriguing surprises. Every day, new discoveries emerge, and useful research findings are published.
Most recently, at the 2023 Science and Technology Forum of the U.S. Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, researchers attracted attention by presenting a method to turn dead birds into drones that mimic the appearance and behavior of live birds.
With these characteristics, these aircraft are classified as ornithopters – drones that can flap their wings. The emergence of these “bird drones” is seen as a precursor to creating spy aircraft that rely less on synthetic materials. Additionally, utilizing the bodies of dead birds offers numerous advantages for the aircraft, as their bodies are already naturally designed for flight.
Utilizing the bodies of dead birds offers numerous advantages for the aircraft, as their bodies are already naturally designed for flight.
Looking further ahead, this new device could be employed in the military field, helping the army monitor enemies more discreetly, as it is very challenging to distinguish between a bird with a drone engine and a real bird.
However, this research project does face some drawbacks. For example, the engine noise is still quite loud, and tests have shown that these drones are not the most aerodynamically efficient flying vehicles.
In response to these issues, the research team stated that they have studied the real flight patterns of various bird species and identified several factors that could enhance the flying capabilities of the device.
For instance, they found that when bird drones fly in a V-formation, similar to migratory birds, these devices can reduce energy consumption by up to 70%.
Moreover, according to the research team, replacing some gears in these drones could help reduce noise and extend the device’s lifespan.
Dr. Mostafa Hassanalian, a mechanical engineering expert and the head of the research team, stated: “These drones could save lives, reduce costs, and protect the environment. His team has spent the past two years developing drone prototypes modeled after birds such as pheasants, mallards, and pigeons. These flying devices are currently undergoing testing, and the research team is seeking permission to conduct outdoor trials with these devices alongside real birds.“
According to USA Today, in addition to helping prevent collisions between birds and aircraft, these devices could also be used to study bird flocks, their coloration, and communication methods, as well as other natural ecosystems.
