At this year’s CMITE, taking place in Beijing, China, guests were surprised by the display of a new kind of drone that looks and acts just like a bird. The biomimetic technology behind these ornithopters allows them to go unnoticed in the air by replicating real-bird motion while flying.
Bird-shaped UAVs come in many models, each created for a unique purpose. One of the smallest drones, the 90-gram magpie model, has live-feed cameras that are best for secretly checking cities. A large number of these micro-UAVs can get past the enemy’s defense and provide uninterrupted knowledge about the scene.
For instance, Eagle drones can pick up tiny explosives and stay within 6-8 km for just under an hour. At 3.6 kg and two meters in wingspan, they are able to both gather information and carry out attacks. The Hummingbird coaxial drone should also catch your eye, as it can carry large 60–82 mm mortar rounds. Mounted on vehicles, the rocket launcher increases precision attacks by numerous attackers.
Lightweight and strong, these drones are simple to care for and may be fitted with parts to resemble birds common to the place they are used in, improving their invisibility in towns and the countryside. Such aircraft are also used for keeping an eye, sending messages, and flying undercover in dangerous situations.
To protect against enemy drones, China deployed the K-25 remote weapon station. Thanks to intelligent targeting, the turret can be fitted to any vehicle or building for reliable defense against airplanes.
CMITE 2025 suggests that advances in technology are confusing the difference between machines and nature, which will make future battles unpredictable and difficult to manage.
