Design and development of a flapping wing mav

Abstract

Ornithopters are man-made flapping vehicles which represent an excellent replacement to conventional modes of propulsion. They provide superior maneuverability, higher propulsive efficiency and can even be made to hover at lesser energy consumption rates. The growing importance of Flapping Wing Aerial Vehicle (Ornithopter) design has kindled research interests in developing countries around the world. The feasibility of an Ornithopter to hover, the accurate positioning of landing, the unconventional means of Lift and Thrust Production are few potential areas to work on for Low speed aerodynamicists. Miniature ornithopters are far more difficult to build mainly due to the complexity in fabrication and the rarity to find the apt avionic components for the required design specifications. As the urge to reduce the size increases, the weight factor plays a major role and wing loading needs to be as low as possible. These miniature marvels when designed properly can be deployed to fulfill covert surveillance missions, to explore new planets in space and to swap human intrusion in hazardous areas likes Nuclear reactors, terrorist captured buildings, etc.