Review on bio-inspired flight systems and bionic aerodynamics

TLDR

Humans have long sought flight by imitating nature, and the exceptional performance of flying animals has inspired researchers to develop bio‑inspired flight systems, a rapidly advancing disruptive aviation technology. The review surveys recent progress in bio‑inspired flight systems and bionic aerodynamics and proposes new challenges for autonomous, intelligent bio‑inspired aircraft. It summarizes the development path of biomimetic air vehicles and the latest advances in mimicking flight principles of natural creatures from a bionic aerodynamics perspective. The review offers key insights for designing new biomimetic air vehicles.

Abstract

Humans' initial desire for flight stems from the imitation of flying creatures in nature. The excellent flight performance of flying animals will inevitably become a source of inspiration for researchers. Bio-inspired flight systems have become one of the most exciting disruptive aviation technologies. This review is focused on the recent progresses in bio-inspired flight systems and bionic aerodynamics. First, the development path of Biomimetic Air Vehicles (BAVs) for bio-inspired flight systems and the latest mimetic progress are summarized. The advances of the flight principles of several natural creatures are then introduced, from the perspective of bionic aerodynamics. Finally, several new challenges of bionic aerodynamics are proposed for the autonomy and intelligent development trend of the bio-inspired smart aircraft. This review will provide an important insight in designing new biomimetic air vehicles.