Nature Inspired Flying Vehicles and Future Challenges in Aerospace

Abstract

The challenges of modern urban warfare require high agility flying machines capable of flight in confined dirty, dull and dangerous (D3) environments. Recent technological advancements in the field of aerospace and materials have enabled the exploration of flight regimes and designs similar to those of birds and insects. Flying robots with a size limit of 6 inches in all dimensions are called Micro Air Vehicles (MAVs) [1] and smaller ones with the size constraint of 1 inch are termed Nano Air Vehicles (NAVs). Fixed wing aerial vehicles are generally preferred in this flight regime due to simplistic design but these lack the hovering capability. Rotary wing designs are also being pursued with added hovering capability, but these cannot move faster through the air and their endurance is limited by the size and capacity of on-board batteries. In order to mimic the maneuverability of birds and insects, flapping wing designs are required which could produce lift and thrust efficiently using the same wing planform. Future, advancements in materials, manufacturing technology and miniaturization of electronics will enable design and development of flapping wing robots similar to natural birds and insects with very demanding mission profiles. This paper aims at highlighting the future requirements of urban warfare along with the challenges being faced to pursue flapping wing designs mimicking insects and birds flight.