Zephyr Net

Flapping-Wing Nano-UAV Flies Under Darpa Program
Aviation Week & Space Technology
Graham Warwick
Washington

AeroVironment Flies Nano Hummingbird

AeroVironment has flown a prototype flapping-wing unmanned aircraft to complete the U.S. Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency’s Nano Air Vehicle program. With a 19-cm wingspan and weighing just 19 grams (less than 1 oz.)—including batteries, motors, video camera and communications links—the remote-controlled Nano Hummingbird has hovered for up to 11 min. on internal power, demonstrated precision maneuvers and transitioned to forward flight at speeds up to 11 mph. The tailless vehicle uses the flapping wings for both propulsion and control, and is as easy to fly as a model helicopter, says project manager Matt Keennon. Early versions could fly for only 20 sec., and the final concept demonstrator—which evolved in incremental steps that included 300 wing designs—exceeds expectations, he says. Seen here enclosed in a hard shell shaped to resemble a hummingbird, the vehicle is actually smaller and lighter than the largest known member of the species, AeroVironment says.