UAV & Drones
Rutgers Develops Solid-State Flapping Wing Drones Using Piezoelectric Materials
Rutgers researchers design motor-free drones using piezoelectric materials for flapping wing flight, advancing UAV flexibility and control.
This article is based on an official press release from Rutgers University.
Engineers at Rutgers University are pioneering a new approach to drone flight by developing “solid-state” robotic birds that flap their wings without the use of traditional motors or gears. According to a recent press release from the university, the research team is utilizing smart materials driven by electricity to mimic and potentially exceed the natural flight mechanics of birds and insects.
The innovative design, detailed in a study published in Aerospace Science and Technology, replaces conventional electromagnetic motors with piezoelectric materials. These specialized materials change shape when exposed to an electrical voltage, allowing the drone’s wings to flex and twist dynamically.
This mechanism-free approach to ornithopters, drones that fly by flapping their wings, promises to deliver greater flexibility and control than standard propeller-driven drones. The Rutgers team believes these advancements could eventually make bird-like drones ideal for complex tasks such as urban package delivery, search and rescue operations, and environmental monitoring.
Traditional experimental bird-like drones have largely relied on complex systems of motors, gears, and mechanical linkages to simulate the flapping motion of wings. However, these conventional actuators often struggle to match the continuous, fluid responsiveness of natural wings in changing air currents. The Rutgers researchers, led by Xin Shan and Onur Bilgen, an associate professor in the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, have taken a simpler, more direct path.
Instead of using motors to act as muscles, the team applies thin strips known as Macro Fiber Composites (MFCs) directly onto flexible wings. When an electrical current flows through these strips, the entire wing structure morphs and flaps.
“We apply electricity to the piezoelectric materials, and they move the surface directly, without extra joints, extra linkages or motors,” Bilgen stated in the university’s press release.
The solid-state ornithopter design offers distinct advantages over traditional drones equipped with spinning propellers, particularly at smaller scales. Flapping wings are generally less destructive to themselves and their surroundings when they come into contact with obstacles, making them safer for navigating tight spaces around buildings, wires, and people.
Furthermore, the researchers note that the carbon fiber in their design acts similarly to feathers and bone, while the surface-mounted MFCs function like muscles and nerves. This biomimetic approach aims to achieve flapping flight without the need for complex, bone-like structures or muscle-like actuators. To accelerate the development of these mechanism-free ornithopters, the Rutgers team created a comprehensive computer model that integrates the various physical forces involved in flight. This model accounts for wing and body motion, aerodynamics, electrical dynamics, and control architecture all at once.
By testing and optimizing designs virtually, engineers can save significant time and resources before building physical prototypes. This software-first approach allows the team to explore the feasibility of designs that rely on future material advancements.
“We’ve scientifically demonstrated that this type of ornithopter can be possible when we make certain material assumptions,” Bilgen explained in the release. “We can show the feasibility of designs that are not yet physically possible.”
Currently, the primary hurdle facing the widespread physical realization of these solid-state drones is the limitation of existing piezoelectric materials. The materials available today do not yet possess the capability required for optimal performance in these advanced designs. However, the mathematical models developed by the researchers provide a roadmap for future development as material science progresses.
Beyond aviation, the principles explored in this research could have broader implications for renewable energy. The team is investigating whether applying piezoelectric materials to wind turbine blades, which function essentially as rotating wings, could yield aerodynamic benefits by subtly altering the blade shape in real time to improve efficiency.
The transition from rotary-wing drones to biomimetic ornithopters represents a significant leap in unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) technology. While quadcopters dominate the current commercial market, their rigid propellers pose safety risks and efficiency limits in highly cluttered environments. We view the Rutgers research as a critical pivot toward solid-state actuation, which could drastically reduce the mechanical failure points inherent in gear-driven systems.
However, as the researchers acknowledge, the commercial viability of these bird-like drones hinges entirely on breakthroughs in material science. Until piezoelectric materials can deliver the necessary force and efficiency at scale, these solid-state ornithopters will likely remain confined to advanced computer simulations and early-stage laboratory prototypes.
An ornithopter is a type of aircraft or drone that flies by flapping its wings, mimicking the flight mechanics of birds, bats, or insects, rather than using fixed wings or spinning propellers.
The drones use piezoelectric materials, specifically Macro Fiber Composites (MFCs), which change shape when an electrical voltage is applied. This allows the wings to flex and flap directly without the need for traditional motors or gears. Due to their flexibility and safer wing design, these drones are well-suited for navigating complex environments. Potential applications include search and rescue, environmental monitoring, inspecting hard-to-reach areas, and urban package delivery.
The Mechanics of Solid-State Flight
Replacing Motors with Smart Materials
Advantages Over Conventional Drones
Virtual Testing and Future Applications
Advanced Computer Modeling
Overcoming Material Limitations
AirPro News analysis
Frequently Asked Questions
What is an ornithopter?
How do the Rutgers robotic birds fly without motors?
What are the potential uses for these bird-like drones?
Sources
Photo Credit: Rutgers University
UAV & Drones
BRINC Launches Guardian Drone for Advanced 911 Response
BRINC unveils the Guardian drone with 60 mph speed, 10-pound payload, Starlink connectivity, and automated battery swapping for emergency response.
This article is based on an official company statement from Blake Resnick, Founder & CEO of BRINC.
BRINC has officially announced the launch of its latest product, the Guardian, positioning it as the most capable 911 response drone developed to date. According to a public statement by BRINC Founder and CEO Blake Resnick, the new unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) is designed to serve as a practical, highly advanced tool for Drone as First Responder (DFR) programs.
We are observing a significant leap in public safety aviation technology, with the Guardian boasting unprecedented flight times, heavy payload capacities, and global connectivity designed to augment or replace traditional manned aircraft.
“This is the closest thing to a police helicopter replacement that the drone industry has ever produced,” stated Blake Resnick, Founder & CEO of BRINC.
The Guardian drone introduces a robust set of specifications tailored specifically for high-stakes emergency environments. Based on the company’s announcement, the aircraft can sustain flight for over an hour and reach a top speed of 60 mph.
One of the most notable features of the new platform is its 10-pound payload capacity. According to Resnick, this allows the drone to carry and deliver critical life-saving equipment directly to an emergency scene, including full-size defibrillators and flotation devices.
In a major development for DFR operations, the Guardian features an integrated Starlink panel. The company states that this integration provides the drone with unlimited range anywhere in the world, effectively removing the traditional radio frequency line-of-sight limitations that have historically constrained municipal drone operations.
To support its mission as a premier first responder tool, the Guardian is equipped with a highly advanced sensor suite. The camera system includes a pair of high-definition thermal imagers capable of 64x zoom on a 1280-resolution thermal feed.
Alongside its thermal capabilities, the drone features a 4K camera system with low-light capabilities that offers a staggering 640x total zoom. Additional tactical hardware mounted on the airframe includes a laser-excited phosphor spotlight and a laser rangefinder. Acoustically, the Guardian is designed to command a scene from the air. It utilizes an ultra-loud speaker capable of emitting a siren tone three times louder than a standard police car siren, according to the manufacturer’s specifications.
The combination of the Guardian’s extended flight time, 60 mph top speed, and Starlink connectivity makes it the first DFR drone truly capable of pursuing vehicles. Resnick highlighted that this specific capability can save lives by mitigating the need for dangerous, high-speed police chases on the ground.
The drone does not operate in isolation. BRINC has paired the aircraft with the “Guardian Station,” a robotic charging nest. When the drone lands, this system robotically swaps batteries and payloads in a matter of seconds, ensuring the aircraft is rapidly ready for its next deployment without human intervention.
According to the company’s statement, this ecosystem pushes the boundaries of current DFR programs. Compared to legacy systems, BRINC claims the Guardian and its station cover seven times more area, more than double the operational uptime, and quadruple the total time spent on scene.
The introduction of the BRINC Guardian represents a pivotal shift in how law enforcement and emergency services approach aerial support. By integrating Starlink for global connectivity and offering a 10-pound payload capacity, we see BRINC moving the DFR concept from passive aerial observation to active, physical intervention. The ability to deliver a defibrillator or flotation device ahead of ground units could drastically reduce response times for critical medical emergencies.
Furthermore, the automated battery-swapping capability of the Guardian Station addresses one of the most significant bottlenecks in commercial drone operations, turnaround time. If the system performs in the field exactly as stated in the company’s announcement, it could offer municipalities a highly cost-effective and safer alternative to maintaining expensive manned aviation units.
BRINC Unveils Guardian: A Next-Generation 911 Response Drone
Technical Specifications and Capabilities
Global Connectivity via Starlink
Advanced Optics, Audio, and Sensor Payloads
Visual and Acoustic Dominance
Redefining Drone as First Responder (DFR) Operations
The Guardian Station Ecosystem
AirPro News Analysis
Shifting the Paradigm of Public Safety Aviation
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
The Guardian is a new 911 response drone developed by BRINC, designed to act as a highly capable Drone as First Responder (DFR) and a potential replacement for traditional police helicopters.
According to BRINC, the Guardian has a top speed of 60 mph and can fly for over an hour on a single deployment.
The Guardian Station is a robotic charging nest that automatically swaps the drone’s batteries and payloads in seconds to maximize operational uptime.
The drone utilizes an integrated Starlink panel, which the company states gives it unlimited range anywhere in the world.Sources
Photo Credit: BRINC
UAV & Drones
FlyFocus Unveils KURIER Unmanned Helicopter for Battlefield Logistics
FlyFocus introduces KURIER, a Polish unmanned helicopter designed for heavy-lift logistics in contested environments, with 200+ kg payload capacity.
Polish defense technology firm FlyFocus has officially unveiled the KURIER, a new unmanned Helicopters designed for heavy-lift battlefield logistics. Showcased at the Drone World Expo in Warsaw earlier this month, the platform aims to resupply special forces operating in highly contested environments.
According to reporting by Mezha.ua, the KURIER is a 600-kilogram-class Drones capable of carrying payloads exceeding 200 kilograms. The system is specifically engineered to operate in areas where conventional logistics routes are compromised, including environments with degraded GPS and active electronic warfare.
The development of the KURIER highlights Poland’s ongoing push to secure technological sovereignty in unmanned systems and modernize its military supply chains amid evolving regional security threats.
The KURIER platform introduces robust performance metrics for medium-weight unmanned logistics. Based on specifications published by EDR Magazine, the helicopter features an empty weight of 350 kilograms and a maximum take-off weight of 600 kilograms. It can achieve a maximum speed of 180 kilometers per hour.
Flight endurance ranges from three to ten hours, heavily dependent on the specific mission profile and payload configuration. The aircraft boasts a service ceiling of 4,000 meters above sea level, with the potential for higher altitude operations if modified. Additional reporting from MILMAG indicates the system is powered by a 105 kW Rotax 915 iS piston engine and utilizes a modified fuselage based on the Escape ultralight helicopter from Italian Manufacturers Lamanna Helicopters.
While primarily designed for land-based special forces support, the platform’s utility extends to other domains. EDR Magazine notes that the KURIER could be adapted for naval and maritime operations. Potential future applications include ship-to-ship transport, maritime surveillance, and logistical support for anti-submarine warfare operations.
The KURIER project is the result of a collaborative Polish industrial and scientific consortium. Alongside FlyFocus, the development team includes FusionCopter and the Institute of Fundamental Technological Research of the Polish Academy of Sciences (IPPT PAN), according to Mezha.ua. The initiative is backed by the Polish Ministry of Defence and funded by the National Centre for Research and Development (NCBR). The total program value is estimated at nearly €5 million (PLN 20.8 million). Launched in February 2024, the program is currently approaching Technology Readiness Level 6 (TRL-6) following a series of successful flight tests in Polish military training areas.
In a statement regarding the platform’s strategic value, FlyFocus founder Igor Skawiński emphasized the importance of domestic production:
“KURIER represents a breakthrough in autonomous battlefield logistics and a major step toward strengthening Poland’s technological sovereignty…”
Skawiński further noted to reporters that the company relies exclusively on components from NATO-aligned suppliers to ensure supply-chain transparency and long-term reliability.
We view the introduction of the KURIER unmanned helicopter as a critical indicator of shifting modern military doctrine, which increasingly prioritizes resilient, autonomous supply lines. As contested environments deny traditional manned logistics, medium-weight rotary drones offer a vital lifeline for forward-deployed forces. By anchoring the development within a domestic consortium and utilizing NATO-aligned supply chains, Poland is actively mitigating the risks associated with foreign technological dependence. The strategic Investments of €5 million demonstrates a clear commitment to fielding mature, European-controlled autonomous systems.
According to manufacturer specifications, the KURIER unmanned helicopter can carry a payload exceeding 200 kilograms.
It was developed by a Polish consortium comprising FlyFocus, FusionCopter, and the Institute of Fundamental Technological Research of the Polish Academy of Sciences.
The drone is engineered to resupply special forces in contested environments, including areas experiencing GPS degradation and active electronic warfare.
Technical Specifications and Capabilities
Performance Metrics
Multi-Domain Potential
Development and Strategic Importance
Consortium and Funding
AirPro News analysis
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the payload capacity of the KURIER drone?
Who developed the KURIER?
What environments is the KURIER designed for?
Sources
Photo Credit: FlyFocus
UAV & Drones
Marshall Aerospace Leads UK Government-Backed Drone Assessments
Marshall Aerospace secured five UK government projects to conduct SAIL Mark assessments, aiding drone certification and safe integration by July 2026.
This article is based on an official press release from Marshall Group.
The United Kingdom’s unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) sector is poised for accelerated growth as Marshall Aerospace secures five distinct government-backed assessment projects. According to an official press release from the company, these projects are funded by Innovate UK and the Department for Transport, and were awarded through a Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) grant programme.
These assessments are designed to assist UAS manufacturers in navigating the regulatory landscape and progressing toward official UK operational authorisation. By evaluating flightworthiness across various risk levels, the initiative aims to streamline the safe integration of drone technologies into commercial and security applications.
We note that this development highlights a concerted effort by UK aviation authorities and established aerospace engineering firms to standardize and expedite the certification process for new drone entrants.
The core of these newly awarded projects revolves around the SAIL Mark scheme, an independent technical assurance process launched by the CAA in March 2025. The press release indicates that the scheme enables operators flying in the “Specific Category” to provide evidence that their drones are safe and suitable for their intended operations.
Marshall Aerospace’s evaluations will specifically cover SAIL II (low risk) and SAIL III (moderate risk) levels. The company stated that these assessments will support a wide array of applications, ranging from agricultural monitoring to security operations, and will encompass both the drones themselves and independent flight termination systems.
Securing these five projects reinforces Marshall Aerospace’s position within the rapidly expanding UK drone market. The company emphasized its role as a trusted engineering partner to key government and aviation bodies.
“We are proud to have been selected to deliver these assessments as a trusted engineering partner to the CAA, Innovate UK and the Department for Transport. Our UAS assessment business is becoming a catalyst for the growth in the UK’s drone sector, lowering the barriers for new entrants while providing authoritative guidance that will directly contribute to the safe, scalable introduction of new products and technologies.” To conduct these critical evaluations, an organization must hold a specific regulatory designation. According to the Marshall Group, only CAA-designated Recognised Assessment Entities for Flightworthiness (RAE(F)) are authorized to perform SAIL Mark assessments. Marshall Aerospace was among the first organizations in the UK to achieve this status immediately following the scheme’s launch. Under the current framework, Marshall will generate an independent flightworthiness report for each applicant. This report includes a comprehensive analysis of compliance with the scheme’s stringent requirements, culminating in a SAIL Mark recommendation. Ultimately, the CAA retains the authority to determine whether the SAIL Mark is awarded to the applicant.
The fully-funded assessments, which include applications from both UK and international UAS manufacturers nominated by an expert panel, are scheduled to be completed by the end of July 2026.
The collaboration between the CAA, Innovate UK, the Department for Transport, and private sector leaders like Marshall Aerospace represents a maturing regulatory environment for unmanned aerial vehicles in the UK. By subsidizing these initial SAIL Mark assessments, the UK government is actively lowering the financial and bureaucratic barriers to entry for drone manufacturers.
We view the establishment of the RAE(F) designation as a critical step in decentralizing the technical evaluation workload from the CAA to qualified industry experts. This not only prevents regulatory bottlenecks but also ensures that safety standards keep pace with rapid technological advancements in the UAS sector. The July 2026 completion target for these initial five projects will likely serve as a vital benchmark for the efficiency and scalability of the SAIL Mark framework.
Launched by the UK Civil Aviation Authority in March 2025, the SAIL Mark is an independent technical assurance process. It allows drone operators in the Specific Category to prove their aircraft are safe and suitable for planned operations.
RAE(F) stands for Recognised Assessment Entity for Flightworthiness. It is a designation granted by the CAA to organizations authorized to conduct independent SAIL Mark assessments.
According to the company’s announcement, the five government-funded assessments are scheduled to be completed by the end of July 2026.
Introduction
Accelerating UK Drone Authorisation
The SAIL Mark Assessment Framework
Industry Impact and Leadership
, Mark Hewer, Director for Aero Engineering Services, Marshall Aerospace
Marshall Aerospace’s Role as an RAE(F)
Flightworthiness and Compliance Reporting
AirPro News analysis
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is a SAIL Mark?
What does RAE(F) stand for?
When will the Marshall Aerospace assessments be completed?
Sources
Photo Credit: Marshall Group
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