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In newly released footage quickly gaining widespread attention, China has showcased a remarkably realistic bird-like drone, which appears to be designed mainly for reconnaissance missions. The video features members of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) “Sea Dragon” commandos operating this innovative device. This drone is designed to closely mimic the appearance and movement of a real bird, with its wing-flapping capability enhancing its disguise. The primary goal of this design is to enable the drone to blend seamlessly into its surroundings, thereby remaining undetected by enemy forces and providing a tactical advantage in covert operations.
While specific technical details about this particular drone remain undisclosed, it is known that nature-inspired unmanned aerial systems (UASs), such as ornithopters, have a range of potential applications. These devices can carry various payloads, including sensors and small cameras, which can be used for intelligence collection missions. Additionally, they can be equipped with micro-warheads, potentially allowing for kamikaze-style attacks. This advanced technology offers China a significant strategic advantage by enabling covert operations that are difficult for adversaries to detect.
The released videos feature soldiers from the PLA’s Jiaolong (“Sea Dragon”) Commando Forces, a unit comparable to the U.S. Navy SEALs. One video depicts a soldier launching a medium-sized bird drone, approximately the size of a pigeon, while another video shows a soldier operating a larger drone, roughly the size of a hawk. According to Interesting Engineering, the concept of bird-like drones is not novel for China. Earlier models resembling birds were introduced in 2018, and in 2022, Chinese engineers revealed a large mechanical flying bird weighing 1.6 kilograms and featuring a wingspan of two meters. This larger drone is reported to have a flight duration of up to one and a half hours, powered by a lithium battery.
