RMIT researches develops soaring birds inspired unmanned aircraft

RMIT University researchers are working on a project to develop an autonomous unmanned aircraft designed to improve energy efficiency and endurance.

The project, inspired by soaring birds, is carried out in collaboration with Defence Science and Technology Organisation (DSTO) of Australia and is supported by the Defence Science Institute.

The autonomous unmanned aircraft prototype is being developed to replicate a bird, and is capable of staying airborne by using updrafts around buildings to increase its endurance.

RMIT University lead researcher Dr Reece Clothier said that soaring birds used positive air flows generated around features such as cliffs or large buildings to maintain lift.

"This research aims to develop the sensing and control systems that will allow a small fixed-wing unmanned aircraft to achieve the same thing," Clothier added.

"Birds make soaring look easy, but when we try to mimic what they know by instinct, we realise just how far advanced nature is in its designs."

The project integrates real-time sensing of wind with complex flow models to locate possible positive airflows around large buildings.

DSTO Aerospace Division senior research scientist Dr Jennifer Palmer said the unmanned aircraft can predict airflows in its surrounding environment and by using this information it minimises its energy consumption, maximise its endurance and avoid areas of high turbulence.

"Small aircraft used for communications relay or surveillance and reconnaissance could greatly benefit by having a means of exploiting naturally occurring updrafts and avoiding the deleterious effects of turbulence in urban environments," Palmer added.

"DSTO undertakes research in a number of areas related to autonomous unmanned aircraft, and this is a great opportunity to engage with academia on a project with both scientific challenges and real-world outcomes."

The unmanned aircraft will be used in applications ranging from fire fighting to search and rescue, agriculture, infrastructure inspection and public protection.