Military microdrones that can flap their wings and change their path mid-flight could soon arrive on the battlefield in the future. Building on a patent signed in 2014 to create wings for drones, the US Air Force’s elite research laboratory is working with Airion Health LLC to create a prototype of a mini aerial vehicle that can mimic the flight of insects or birds and that, in addition, has the ability to change the speed without the support of a high-powered computer. The appearance of drones in the military field is becoming more and more common.
This class of microdrones could be used for surveillance tasks on the battlefield or on military bases. Also, to mark objectives before allies or other aircraft reach the battlefield. The development of these tiny drones has become a major focus for the Defense Department as it plans a future conflict with a close competitor.
A patent that will soon see the light
Together with the Air Force Research Laboratory, Airion, a specialized company that creates innovative and rapid prototypes for both private industry and the US military, will develop a viable micro-air vehicle in early 2022, according to a statement. The service signed a non-exclusive patent license agreement with Airion to license the government-owned invention in January. The other products that this company develops are respiratory and ventilation systems together with advanced moisture absorption technologies for combatants.
The drones will be remotely controlled, according to Air Force officials, giving it the ability to change routes as needed. According to the patent, the service is looking for a drone that has only two characteristics: that allow mechanical movement while offering six different degrees of flight, which means that it can change position forward or backward, up or down, left. or right.
The biggest advantage, its size
From a commercial point of view, these drones can maneuver in small and tight spaces like tunnels or on larger machinery for inspection. The Office of Research and Applications of Technology at the Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Dayton, Ohio, has also collaborated in the development of these small drones since this organization has a research laboratory.
Last February the service made a request for robots that were portable and that could be thrown into a room or an open area and detect if there are people around. Although the dimensions and weight of these drones have not yet been revealed, it is not the first time that the United States has invested in these small aircraft. Last year, Eglin Air Force Base in Florida began using soccer-ball-sized robots that could be thrown for safety training.
Still, it is approximated that each device would weigh about a pound, light enough that troops could throw it into a room and then control it with a handheld device.