Israeli team conducting research for the development of micro unmanned air vehicles based on the characteristics of flying creatures

Researchers tweaking micro-UAVs based on dragonfly aerodynamics

TEL AVIV -- An Israeli team has been conducting research for the development of micro unmanned air vehicles based on the characteristics of flying creatures. The team by Tel Aviv University's Dr. Avi Seifert has been performing experiments with wind tunnels to improve the aerodynamics of tiny UAVs for military and security missions.

"Seeking, for instance, to improve the range and flying time for UAVs, which are often used for intelligence gathering, he [Seifert] is investigating the flight mechanism of dragonfly wings, the odd shape of which generates vortexes that enhance lift and reduce drag at small sizes and low flight speeds," TAU said.

Israeli defense contractors have been developing a range of micro-UAVs for military and security missions. Development has been conducted with Israeli universities including TAU and the Technion.

At TAU, Seifert and his team were examining engineering solutions that would integrate aspects of dragonfly aerodynamics. The team, however, wanted to eliminate the wing-flapping of small insects and birds.

Similar research has been conducted in a project sponsored by the U.S. Air Force. At least two U.S. universities were studying the properties of bats in UAV development.

The Israeli project has also developed a control mechanism to reduce turbulence in manned and unmanned aircraft. The device, said to operate at least 10 times faster than in existing systems, has also adopted the maneuverability of dragonfly wings.

"The new control system produces a UAV's yaw, pitch and roll motions -- the three possible axes of movement -- without utilizing flaps, allowing for remote intelligence gathering in gusty conditions," TAU said.

The team reported that the autonomous system was tested during three successful flights in late 2008. In one flight, a UAV was landed solely by the new control system, which TAU asserted was a first in aviation history.

"Minimizing turbulence and passenger discomfort has obvious benefits for military and civilian aircraft," Seifert said.