Hummingbird-Like AUV Flaps, Hovers
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By Tracy Staedter Feb. 18, 2011 --
The Nano Hummingbird's wingspan is 6.5 inches, slightly larger than an average hummingbird and with a speed of 11 miles per hour, it's about half as fast. But it's just the kind of mini spy plane that the Department of Defense, which funded the project through the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, is looking for. With the ability to perch on a window sill, fly in through an open doorway or hover above enemy camps, the aircraft could capture valuable strategic information. So far, it's a bit loud and not ready for mass-production. It still need a viable source of power that will hold it aloft for long periods. But drones that mimic birds are part of a military plan that also includes pigeon-sized vehicles that can recharge while perching on power lines.
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