Design Elements of a Bio-Inspired Micro Air Vehicle

A multi-tiered approach to the study of the aerodynamics of a biologically inspired micro air vehicle (MAV) is described. The goal of work is to develop the aerodynamic tools necessary to design a mission-capable MAV. Analytical, experimental, and numerical investigations yielding insight into the bio-inspired design elements that could be employed to advantage in an engineered flapping-wing MAV are documented; and it is shown that a four-wing device with a relatively simple wing design and a single active flapping axis for each wing could form the basis of a viable flapping-wing MAV.