"Wings of War" reimagined. Discover the birds that inspired scientists to create innovative drone flight methods (photos, videos).

The advancement of defense technologies and the use of drones worldwide inspires scientists to seek new technological solutions in nature. Researchers have drawn inspiration from the flight mechanisms of hawks and hummingbirds to develop two fundamentally different robotic drones.

Wingless Maneuvering – Hawk Work Tested in a Wind Tunnel.

Two engineers from the École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL) constructed a drone modeled after a hawk, capable of performing maneuvers without the use of wings. They were inspired by the ability of raptors to control their flight using their tails. To create their drone, the researchers studied the anatomy of the hawk. Utilizing lightweight materials, they replicated the bones and joints, crafted wings and a tail, and then covered them with foam feathers.

The researchers' artificial hawk successfully leaned in a wind tunnel without the use of wings, relying solely on a specific maneuvering of the tail. This study could be beneficial in developing new types of drones that can return more smoothly.

Agile and Tireless Hummingbirds – Scientists Faced Challenges

Hummingbirds have inspired scientists for many years in various developments. A flying robot of such a small size has already been created. The most notable is the NanoHummingbird, developed by the private company AeroVironment. They are highly maneuverable, capable of making a 360° turn, but cannot fly quickly forward. Scientists continue to study biomechanics to create a robot that can fully replicate the movements of a hummingbird. In the U.S., millions are being invested in this direction.

"The robot designed based on the hummingbird is unlikely to carry weapons; it could be deployed for reconnaissance of streets ahead of troops, tracking troop movements, or searching for injured soldiers in areas inaccessible to humans, such as inside a collapsed building or tunnel," states a report from The New York Times.

Among the qualities scientists aim to replicate are how hummingbirds use inertia from wing thrusts for agile maneuvers and their ability to harness wind for flight and movement.

The complexity of creating the perfect hummingbird robot lies in the fact that the bodies of birds, especially their wings and tails, undergo continuous transformation and numerous changes during flight. Another challenge is replicating the filamentous feathers that provide sensory input—tiny palm-shaped feathers that track wind speed, temperature, and feather condition, sending this information to the bird's brain.

Previously, "Telegraph" reported that Russians are attempting to minimize the cost of producing drones that attack Ukraine. They assemble drones almost from scrap.