Latest news with #ChristopherMcFadden
India.com
an hour ago
- Science
- India.com
China Unveils ‘Mosquito Drone': A Silent Spy That Fits In Your Palm
New Delhi: Chinese scientists have unveiled a remarkable development in drone miniaturization – a mosquito-sized reconnaissance drone crafted at the National University of Defence Technology in Hunan province. Displayed on CCTV‑7 by student researcher Liang Hexiang, this tiny machine measures just 1.3 cm in length, boasts delicate leaf-shaped wings and even features three hair-thin legs. Operated via a smartphone, it mimics insect flight with surprising precision. Despite its miniature size, this drone carries significant potential for intelligence gathering. In military operations, it could quietly cruise through enemy lines, gathering visuals or audio without detection. Chinese military unveils mosquito-sized drones that can perform battlefield missions | Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering The drone features a pair of flapping 'wings' and 'legs' and is designed for covert military operations. China's National University of Defence… — Owen Gregorian (@OwenGregorian) June 22, 2025 The Chinese military unveils a tiny drone the size of a mosquito. The creators believe such a drone is nearly impossible to detect, making it ideal for reconnaissance. A compact handheld device is all that's needed for control. China is ahead of the rest of the world... — Alexeï (@jeanlol67573289) June 21, 2025 First-response teams might use it to explore collapsed structures, seek out survivors tucked deep within debris or assess hazardous environments before sending in personnel. Environmental scientists could deploy it to track air quality or water conditions in remote or dangerous zones. The design reflects a growing focus on micro-drones in both military and civilian sectors. However, these tiny marvels come with limitations: low payload capacity and short battery life restrict how much they can carry or how long they can stay airborne. Yet research continues to advance rapidly. As mini-batteries improve and sensor technology shrinks, these fingertip-sized devices may soon carry thermal cameras, chemical sensors, or even stealth communication gear. Ultimately, this mosquito drone points toward a future where intelligence gathering becomes smaller, quieter and far more intricate. Rather than a flashy military showcase, it hints at subtler shifts in how nations monitor environments, secure battlefields and respond to disasters.
NDTV
2 days ago
- Science
- NDTV
China's New Military Weapon: Tiny Mosquito Drone Could Change Warfare Forever
Scientists in China have developed a really small, mosquito-sized drone for military operations, South China Morning Post (SCMP) reported. The micro drone has been developed by a robotics laboratory at the National University of Defence Technology (NUDT) in central China's Hunan province. Micro drones are small and compact drones that can be used for various applications besides military and defence. They have the potential to revolutionise various industries and applications with their unique capabilities. The prototype was displayed by researchers on air on CCTV 7 (China Central Television's military channel) on the weekend, the report noted. "Here in my hand is a mosquito-like type of robot. Miniature bionic robots like this one are especially suited to information reconnaissance and special missions on the battlefield," Liang Hexiang, a student at NUDT, told CCTV as he showed the small drone holding in his hand. The mosquito-sized drone reportedly had two small wings with leaflike structures on either side. It also had three hair-thin "legs". It was controlled with a smartphone and was roughly equivalent to a mosquito (about 1.3 centimetres long). Chinese military unveils mosquito-sized drones that can perform battlefield missions | Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering The drone features a pair of flapping 'wings' and 'legs' and is designed for covert military operations. China's National University of Defence… — Owen Gregorian (@OwenGregorian) June 22, 2025 The Chinese military unveils a tiny drone the size of a mosquito. The creators believe such a drone is nearly impossible to detect, making it ideal for reconnaissance. A compact handheld device is all that's needed for control. China is ahead of the rest of the world... — Alexeï (@jeanlol67573289) June 21, 2025 Use of micro-drones Such miniature drones can prove to be critical for covert military operations as they can be used for surveillance or reconnaissance missions without being easily detected. They can navigate through rubble or debris to locate survivors in emergencies. Microdrones can be equipped with sensors to monitor environmental conditions, such as air quality or water quality. Notably, microdrones come with a few challenges, such as they have limited payload capacity, which can restrict the types of sensors or equipment they can carry. They typically have shorter flight times due to their small batteries. However, improvements in battery life, sensor technology and artificial intelligence (AI) will continue to enhance the capabilities of microdrones.
