미래 전장환경을 고려한 조류형 생체모방 무인기의 국방적 가치와 발전방향 = Defense Value and Development Prospects of Avian-Inspired Biomimetic Unmanned Aerial Vehicles in Future Battlefields

다국어 초록 (Multilingual Abstract)

Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) have become core assets for intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance (ISR), strike, and swarm operations in modern warfare. However, conventional fixed-wing and multi-rotor platforms face growing vulnerabilities against AI-enabled counter-drone systems due to their artificial appearance, high-frequency acoustic signatures, and highly regular flight patterns. This study examines the defense value and development prospects of avian-inspired biomimetic UAVs that exploit natural flight physics to overcome these limitations.
First, the paper analyzes key aerodynamic and structural mechanisms that differentiate avian UAVs from conventional platforms. Flapping wings and morphing tails actively utilize unsteady aerodynamics, including leading-edge vortices (LEV), to generate high lift and thrust at low speeds, enable rapid attitude changes with very small turn radii, and enhance robustness to gusts and control-surface failures. Energy-efficient flight modes such as flap–gliding, dynamic soaring, and perching further extend endurance by reducing propulsion demand or eliminating it during long-term concealed observation. These characteristics inherently demand learning-based, high-dimensional flight control, linking biomimetic airframes with AI-centric autonomy.
Second, the study reviews overseas and domestic development trends. The United States, Europe, Israel, and China have demonstrated flapping-wing micro air vehicles, morphing-wing drones, and bird-like stealth platforms with emerging operational use. In contrast, Korea remains at a concept and prototype stage, with foundational research at major universities and early systems-level planning in national defense technology roadmaps, but with clear gaps in airframe, actuation, flap–gliding, and perching control technologies.
Finally, the paper discusses operational concepts in which avian UAVs provide asymmetric advantages: ultra-close covert ISR, ambush-type loitering strike, active deception against counter-drone AI, and dispersed–latent sensor/swarm operations in complex urban and mountainous environments. The results suggest that avian-inspired biomimetic UAVs are strong candidates for next-generation asymmetric unmanned forces in future battlefields.