China has uncovered a new military surveillance and reconnaissance drone that perfectly resembles a small bird.
Showcased during the founding anniversary of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA), the biomimetic drone was made to look like a Eurasian tree sparrow and is believed to be an ornithopter.
It replicates the wing-flapping motion of a bird in flight, making it virtually indistinguishable from real birds at a distance.
Though its technical specifications are not publicly available, ornithopters in general can reportedly carry small, advanced sensors for effective surveillance of enemy forces.
They can also be armed with micro-warheads to strike enemy assets, especially those in cover.
However, aerial platforms of this type often have a limited range and endurance, making them suitable only for short-range reconnaissance.
Extensive Military Potential
A video of the occasion shows an officer with the PLA’s Sea Commandos releasing the sparrow-like drone as he resurfaced from the water.
The drone then circled in the sky for a few minutes while flapping its wings like a real bird.
Another clip shows a commando operating a larger biomimetic drone, which is similar in size to a raven or hawk.
Biomimetic Drone Release & Flapping Around https://t.co/SOnkjcbEV5 pic.twitter.com/08e75AYuf5
— David Wang (@Nickatgreat1220) August 1, 2024
The realistic designs of these unmanned platforms could offer extensive military potential, as they can be easily concealed for reduced chances of detection.
Videos of the demonstration have already reached Ukraine, with The Kyiv Post acknowledging the drone’s potential due to its difficulty in being identified as a threat.
Not the First Time
Though unique, creating biomimetic military assets is not new to China.
In 2021, the South China Morning Post uploaded a video of what it called a “robo-fish” wagging its tail underwater.
The device was not a real fish, but a drone with the potential for underwater surveillance.
