Challenges facing future micro-air-vehicle development

The status in the development of the new class of micro air vehicles (MAVs) and some emerging trends in the technology that can lead to more efficient small-scale flying machines, are discussed. These vehicles have been defined to have no length dimension greater than 6 in. with gross takeoff weights of approximately 200g or less. The new capabilities projected for the next generation of MAV designs include silent flight as fuel cells and battery technology supplant internal combustion engines, 60% gains in endurance caused by increasingly efficient turbine engines, and self-repairing, damage compensating, more survivable. The emerging technology is the combination of multifunctional structures and propulsion technology.