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In recently released footage that quickly attracted widespread attention, China has showcased a remarkably realistic bird-like drone that appears to be designed primarily for reconnaissance missions. The video shows members of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) ‘Sea Dragon’ commando operating this innovative device. This drone is designed to closely mimic the appearance and movements of a real bird, with its ability to flap its wings enhancing its stealth. The main goal of this design is for the drone to blend seamlessly into its surroundings, allowing it to remain undetected by enemy forces and providing a tactical advantage in covert operations.
While specific technical details about this particular drone have not yet been disclosed, it is known that nature-inspired unmanned aerial systems (UAS) such as ornithopters have a number of potential applications. These devices can carry various payloads, including sensors and small cameras that can be used for intelligence-gathering missions. In addition, they can be equipped with micro-warheads, potentially enabling kamikaze attacks. This advanced technology offers China a significant strategic advantage by enabling covert operations that are difficult for adversaries to detect.
The released videos show soldiers from the People’s Liberation Army’s Jiaolong (“Sea Dragon”) Commando Unit, a unit comparable to the U.S. Navy SEALs. One video shows a soldier launching a medium-sized bird drone about the size of a pigeon, while another video shows a soldier piloting a larger drone about the size of a hawk. According to Interesting Engineering, the concept of bird-like drones is not new to China. Previous bird-like models were introduced in 2018, and in 2022, Chinese engineers unveiled a large mechanical flying bird weighing 1.6 kilograms and with a wingspan of two meters. This larger drone is expected to have a flight duration of up to one and a half hours and will be powered by a lithium battery.