Chinese military chiefs develop killer bird-drone powered by flapping wings
The new weapon - known as an 'ornithopter' - has been built to resemble Eurasian tree sparrow and was revealed during a recent demonstration by Chinese special forces.
The drone replicates the wing-flapping motion of a sparrow in flight, making it virtually indistinguishable from real birds at a distance, according to the latest edition of Soldier Magazine.
A video of the occasion shows an officer with the Peoples' Liberation Army Sea Commandos releasing the sparrow-like drone as he resurfaced from the water.
The drone then circled in the sky for a few minutes while flapping its wings like a real bird.
Another clip shows a commando operating a larger drone, which is similar in size to a raven or hawk.
Details of how the bird-drone is powered and flies remain secret but defence sources believe drones of this size would normally use small advanced sensors allowing the operator to spy on enemy troops.
Defence sources have also claimed that this new generation of drones can also be armed with micro-warheads to strike enemy assets, especially those in cover.
The drones could also be used to assassinate enemy VIPs such as senior military commanders.
But small drones often have a limited range and endurance, making them suitable only for short-range reconnaissance.
Colonel Phil Ingram, a former Army intelligence officer told The Sun on Sunday: 'These drones could revolutionise reconnaissance operations on the battlefield.
'It's just a matter of time before we see these being used in war zones such as Ukraine and there is quite a strong likelihood that they could already be part of Russia's drone armoury.
Incredible moment wounded Ukrainian soldier is delivered e-bike by drone so he can escape while surrounded by Russians
'They will be used to conduct short term spying missions and if they can be fitted with a small warhead or weapon they could be used to take out individual battlefield commanders.'
In 2021, the South China Morning Post uploaded a video of what it called a 'robo-fish' wagging its tail underwater.
The device was not a real fish, but a drone with the potential for underwater surveillance.
1
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
BBC News
an hour ago
- BBC News
Ukraine drone attack sparks fire at Sochi oil depot, Russian authorities say
DSNS Ukraine A massive oil depot fire raging near Russia's Black Sea resort of Sochi has been blamed by Russian authorities on a Ukrainian drone attack. Krasnodar Region Governor Veniamin Kondratyev said on Telegram that drone debris hit a fuel tank and 127 firefighters were tackling the blaze. The airport near Sochi - where the 2014 Winter Olympic Games took place - briefly suspended flights. Meanwhile, a Russian missile strike destroyed homes and civilian infrastructure in Ukraine's southern city of Mykolaiv, local officials say. At least seven civilians were reported injured in the city, which has been repeatedly shelled by Russian forces. Ukraine's State Emergency Service said three of the wounded were being treated in hospital. Russian authorities said the drone attack on the Sochi refinery was one of several launched by Ukraine over the weekend, targeting installations in the southern Russian cities of Ryazan, Penza and Voronezh. The governor of Voronezh said four people were injured in one drone strike. Ukraine has not commented on the strikes. It has been targeting Russia's energy infrastructure in retaliation to Russia's sustained bombardment of Ukraine's energy grid throughout the war. Russia's defence ministry said its air defences intercepted 93 Ukrainian drones overnight, 60 of which were over the Black Sea region. Ukraine's air force said Russia fired 83 drones or 76 drones and seven missiles overnight, 61 of which were shot down. It added that 16 drones and six missiles struck targets in eight locations. It comes after a particularly deadly week for civilians in Ukraine, including an attack on Kyiv on Thursday that killed at least 31 people. More than 300 drones and eight cruise missiles were launched in the assault, Ukrainian officials said, making the attack one of the deadliest on the capital since Russia launched its full-scale invasion in February 2022. Following the strikes, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky called for stronger international sanctions on Russia this week, while US President Donald Trump condemned Russia's actions in Ukraine and suggested new sanctions against Moscow were coming. In July, Trump said Putin had 50 days to end the war, or Russia would face severe tariffs targeting its oil and other exports. On Monday, Trump set a new "10 or 12" day deadline. He later set a new deadline, which would expire on 8 August.
The Independent
an hour ago
- The Independent
Ukraine releases video showing frontline forces intercepting Russian drones mid‑air
Aerial footage released by Ukraine 's Ministry of Defence shows the Ukrainian army intercepting multiple Russian drones. The 93rd Mechanized Brigade, recognised as one of Kyiv 's most effective front-line units, was responsible for taking down the unmanned aerial vehicles. The intercepted drones included various types such as Orlan, Lancet, ZALA, Supercam, and Albatros, targeted at altitudes of several kilometres. The Ministry of Defence shared the footage online, stating that 'Every enemy wing will have its final flight.' Watch the video in full above.
Daily Mail
3 hours ago
- Daily Mail
Former military fighter pilot and his son feared dead after Majorca plane crash into the sea
An ex-military fighter pilot and his teenage son are feared dead after their plane crashed into the sea off Majorca. Police confirmed on Sunday morning specialist divers were continuing to search for the occupants after locating the wreckage of the two-seat Team Rocket F-4 Raider sport plane capable of doing speeds of more than 250mph. The plane was seen crashing into the sea near the tourist town of Soller just after 8pm on Saturday after being spotted doing air acrobatics including 'daring but legal' 360-Degree turns. The occupants have been described locally as a former American military combat pilot aged around 60 who lives in Germany and has a holiday home in Majorca. He is understood to currently work as a commercial pilot. Eye-witnesses have said the plane he was believed to be in performed a series of adventurous stunts off the coast before returning to Binissalem Aerodrome where he had taken off from earlier in the day to pick up his passenger. Respected Majorcan daily Ultima Hora said the second person feared dead in the crash was the American pilot's 13-year-old child. Police have not yet made any official comment about the identities and nationalities of the confirmed two occupants of the plane. The Civil Guard said early on Sunday morning: 'The search for two occupants is continuing this morning following the plane accident yesterday evening. 'The accident happened around 8pm opposite the Soller lighthouse and in waters about 30 metres deep. 'Specialists from the Civil Guard's elite GEA diving unit, the Maritime Service and the Air Service are still conducting a search. In an initial statement late on Saturday the force said: 'The two-seater plane had left Binissalem Aerodrome around 6pm yesterday and the accident happened around 100 metres from the coast opposite the lighthouse in Soller Port. 'The remains of the plane have been located but we still have no information about the number of people inside. 'We have spoken to an eye-witness on a boat who saw the accident.'
