Bird-looking rocket-drone design registered with patent

KSÜ Faculty of Engineering and Architecture Mechanical Engineering Department Lecturer Assoc. Dr. The design developed by Muhammed Safa Kamer is intended to enable the drone to navigate and observe in the air without firing its engine, thanks to its wings, and to function as a rocket when needed.

While team building efforts are continuing at the university to develop the design, which is still at the prototype stage, it is planned to prepare a life-size model inspired by large birds in nature in the next stage.

Assoc. Dr. Muhammed Kamer told the AA correspondent that he was thinking about how he could contribute to this field by following the developments in the local and national defense industry and that he started the project in 2024.

Stating that he aims to combine the features of rocket and drone technologies in the design, Kamer stated that the system he developed is designed to be released from land or aircraft.

Explaining that the wings on the rocket are intended to enable navigation and surveillance in the air before the engine is fired, Kamer noted that the bird-like design was developed in line with this approach.

Kamer gave the following information about the working principle of the design:

"Thanks to these wings, the rocket will be able to cruise in the air, perform surveillance and fly without igniting itself. We wanted it to gain the appearance of a bird by flapping its wings when necessary. At the same time, there will be small motors that will enable the wings to move and motors that will enable the rocket to move forward. There will also be various sensors on it that can be controlled remotely. When it detects a threat, the drone will abandon its mission and perform the rocket function."

It will be designed in real bird sizes

Stating that they aim to increase the maneuverability of the rocket with the winged structure, Kamer stated that the design will be developed based on the existing prototype and taken to a further stage.

Kamer said that the design differs from other kamikaze drones in terms of its features and that it was registered with a national patent on August 21, 2026, after the examination by the Turkish Patent and Trademark Office.

Stating that they are trying to form a team for this purpose at the university, Kamer made the following evaluation regarding the dimensions of the life-sized model:

"We are thinking of designing this rocket in real life, in the size of a real bird, the size of one of the largest birds you can see in the world, such as an eagle or in nature. We will come up with a bird-like design and make it work, with the rocket size being about one meter and with its wings extended to two meters."

Pointing out that unmanned systems are increasingly being used in wars, Kamer added that he plans to support the wing structure with solar panels in order to increase the design's stay in the air.