Airbus proudly unveiled last week its plane inspired directly from the mechanics of a bird of prey.
Metal feathers at the end of the wings, profile inspired by flying predators, flat tail : this is what looks like the Bird of Prey, conceptual plane presented by Airbus at the Royal International Air Tattoo, British aeronautics event (17-19 July). The concept also boasts a smooth wing root – the point where the wing joins the fuselage – designed to imitate the graceful, aerodynamic arch of an eagle or falcon.
The feathered tips of the plane's tail are decorated with the pattern of a union jack, which contrasts with its orange body and more subtly colored blue, white and gold wings.
Sporting an “Engineering is Great”, the aircraft celebrates both Airbus’ 50 years in aircraft design and the desire to inspire a new generation of engineers. The European industrialist has divided this device with two concerns: reduce the energy consumption of aviation and innovate by taking inspiration from nature.
THE QUEST FOR A HYBRID AIRPLANE
In addition to adopting a profile reminiscent of an eagle or a hawk, the Bird of Prey has been imagined as a hybrid aircraft, combining electrical energy and conventional propulsion to fly. This is one of the major issues of aeronautics for the coming century, which today is still impossible: the energy density of the best batteries does not allow a commercial aircraft to take off. Or, to explain it otherwise, the battery is too heavy compared to the energy it can store and provide. To take off, there is no other choice than the propulsion currently used, based on hydrocarbons. The tests of electric planes, even hyper light and single-seater, have been abandoned for the moment, even if startups and companies do not give up the idea.
Inspired by the "efficient mechanics" of birds, Airbus' Bird of Prey conceptual aircraft doesn’t intent to represent an actual aircraft, the Bird of Prey concept is based on realistic ideas. Its designers are aiming to provide an insight into what the future of aviation could look like if designers harnessed the potential of biomimicry – design inspired by nature.
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