12

Bio-mimicking MAVs Based on Insect Flight Studies

157

and perfected by all natural fliers. It was even present in certain feathered

Dinosaurs.

10.

The autopilot system, which would be incorporated in the MAV, should take

care of aerial manoeuvres and possible aerobatics including complex landing

and takeoff manoeuvres.

11.

These MAVs may have to play a crucial role in the survey of nearby enemy

targets and also might help in recording sound and capture videos or pictures.

The MAVs can also be used for paramilitary and civilian activities.

The MAV flight becomes more complex in different terrains and environments

including the design of MAVs for night flight operations. MAV research projects

need a very close inter-disciplinary collaboration between Biologists, Ornithologists,

Physicists, Mechanical Engineers, Aeronautical Engineers, Aeronautic Designers

and Navigation experts. Recent developments in nanotechnology and material

science would help in arriving at suitable materials for the body, wings, wing fixed

joints and perching mechanism. However, the aeroelastic aspects of the structural

properties would remain an open challenge for these fliers because one has to care-

fully study basic properties including axial stretching, buckling and damped vibration

characteristics of these materials. Our present knowledge of aeroelasticity of aero-

planes can hardly be applied to MAVs as these fliers are small, delicate and cover

low speed having low Re flights. Resilin like protein elastomere has to be attached

at the wing base joint to contribute for high frequency flapping flexible wings. The

wing design also will considerably differ from that of conventional aircraft wing and

other homoeotherm fliers.

Adaptability of Different Wing Configurations for MAVs

There are three basic types of wings those could possibly be adapted for different

types of MAV models. The table as suggested by Chari [1] has been completely

revised in Table 12.1.

Relevance of Insect Flight to MAV Applications

It has tobementionedthat historicallythenatural fliers consistingof insects, birds and

bats have been flying in nature since 300, 250 and 60 millions of years respectively.

It is through a long process of evolution controlled by genetic and environmental

constraints. This flight study is important in view of the fact that there are many

features common to both insects and Insect Mimicking MAVs. Some of the impor-

tant features common to the two categories are low mass, low size, low Reynolds

number, low aspect ratio, low L/D ratio and low velocity. Both insects and Insect

Mimicking MAVs are susceptible to wind gusts. Insects are natural fliers and provide