from
https://www.eurasiantimes.com/inspired-ornithopter-that-could-be-used-for-military/

A Bird, Plane Or Drone? China’s Revolutionary Flapping Wing UAV Takes
Flight, Expert Says Ideal For Recon Missions
By Ashish Dangwal -March 5, 2024
ShareFacebookTwitterWhatsAppReddIt

China has successfully engineered a new type of ornithopter, an aircraft
that achieves flight through flapping wings, with immense potential for
both military and civilian applications, according to Chinese media outlets.

The “Small Falcon,” as it is known, was captured in flight during a
recent test in Xi’an, the capital of Shaanxi province, in footage aired
on March 2.

Chinese media hailed the Small Falcon as the most bird-like drone
globally, attributing its exceptional agility to a novel cone crank
mechanism that imitates the wing-stretching and folding pattern observed
in birds.

Described by China Central Television (CCTV) as “the most bird-like
drone in the world,” the Small Falcon incorporates advanced technology
inspired by the natural movements of birds.

The report said that the Small Falcon exhibits a range of crucial
features through meticulous design optimizations aided by Computational
Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulations and wind tunnel tests.

These include the ability to fold its wings while flapping, adjust
flapping speed, fold one wing independently, and lock its wings for
gliding maneuvers, providing unmatched agility and realism in flight.

Developed by a research team at Northwestern Polytechnical University
(NWPU) in Xi’an, the Small Falcon represents the latest achievement in
the university’s track record of innovation in drone technology.

With close ties to China’s defense research sector, the university is
known for its contributions to unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and
hypersonic technology development. The university’s association with the
PLA had previously led to its inclusion on the US sanctions list.

According to the non-partisan think tank, the Australian Strategic
Policy Institute’s university tracker, it is the “only Chinese
university hosting a UAV defense laboratory, NWPU produces the ASN
series of UAVs through its subsidiary company, Aisheng Technology Group
Co., Ltd.

The Chinese military is the company’s largest customer, and the company
once claimed to produce 90% of China’s drones.”

File Image: An operator launching the Xinge bionic bird drone.
This isn’t the university’s first foray into ornithopter development. In
October 2023, it introduced the ‘Xinge,’ another flapping wing drone
that garnered international acclaim for breaking flight time records.

Potential For Military Applications
These drones, inspired by the mechanics of bird flight, represent a key
stride in Chinese aviation technology. According to experts, there
appears to be a remarkable similarity between highly biomimetic
ornithopters and real birds, particularly at higher altitudes, making
them difficult to distinguish with the naked eye.

While modern fixed-wing aircraft and rotorcraft employ various
technologies to enhance stealth capabilities, ornithopters achieve
stealth through their resemblance to birds. This natural camouflage
allows them to blend seamlessly into their surroundings, making them
less detectable to both radar and visual observation.

The expert emphasized that even if spotted, observers are likely to
dismiss them as harmless birds, enhancing their reconnaissance and
surveillance capabilities.

These drones, therefore, are ideally suited for reconnaissance,
surveillance, and precision strike missions in special operations
scenarios. Additionally, they pose minimal disturbance to wildlife,
which makes them valuable tools for ecological monitoring and
environmental protection efforts.

EurAsian Times previously suggested that with ongoing tensions with
India, these bird drones could find strategic utility in tactical
surveillance along the India-China border. Whether in Ladakh’s
high-altitude deserts or the dense forests of Arunachal Pradesh, they
offer valuable reconnaissance capabilities.

The ornithopter bird drone Xinge, developed by China’s Northwestern
Polytechnical University.
Although the project is currently free from military involvement, there
is a possibility that the Chinese military may express interest in
deploying ornithopters for testing and potential operational use once
the technology matures.

In Arunachal Pradesh, concerns have frequently been raised about China’s
use of actual pigeons with Mandarin-scripted messages, indicating a
non-electronic communication link between spies and handlers. Villagers
in the Lohit Valley discovered birds with Chinese tags in May 2017,
raising suspicions.

Meanwhile, these drones are not solely developed for defense purposes.
Their potential civilian applications are vast, particularly in
biodiversity conservation efforts and ecological research.

Besides that, as China boasts a large domestic civilian market and
numerous biodiversity hotspots, the employment of bird drones presents a
promising avenue for both military and civilian applications, reflecting
a convergence of technological innovation and environmental stewardship.

Contact the author at ashishmichel(at)gmail.com
Follow EurAsian Times on Google News