Mosquito-sized drones created in China

 Robotics lab in China creates mosquito-sized microdrone which can perform battlefield missions 

A robotics laboratory at the National University of Defence Technology (NUDT) in central China’s Hunan province has developed a mosquito-sized drone for covert military operations. State broadcaster CCTV showcased the defence university’s miniature bionic robots suited to reconnaissance and battlefield missions. Details are a little thin on the ground, but its development is likely focusing on surveillance and reconnaissance missions in complex or sensitive environments. The drone features a pair of flapping “wings” and “legs”. The drone’s main unique selling point is its compact size, making it relatively easy to hide or conceal. It has two leaf like wings which are reportedly able to flap just like an insect’s wings.

NUDT researchers showed their work on various types of robots – from humanoid machines to tiny drones barely visible to the eye, in a report aired on CCTV 7, China Central Television’s military channel. “Here in my hand is a mosquito-like type of robot. Miniature bionic robots like this one are especially suited to information reconnaissance and special missions on the battlefield,” Liang Hexiang, a student at NUDT, said on CCTV while holding up the drone between his fingers. In the video of the unmanned aerial vehicle, two tiny wings with a leaf like structure were attached to the sides of the stick-shaped drone body along with three hair-thin “legs”. The drone also has three hair-thin “legs” that could be used for perching or landing. Dinky drones of this kind could likely be used in urban combat, search and rescue, or electronic surveillance. It could also be a valuable tool for reconnaissance and covert special missions. To make it work, the drone features advanced integration of power systems, control electronics and sensors, all in an incredibly tiny package.

The report highlighting advances in robotics engineering also showed a prototype controlled via smartphone with four wings, two moving horizontally on each side of the body. Their tiny size makes manufacturing this new type of drone challenging: sensors, power devices, control circuits and other elements must fit into a very small space. It requires collaboration between various disciplines, such as the engineering of microscopic devices, materials science and bionics. These drones can operate undetected, making them valuable in covert warfare, espionage, or tactical reconnaissance. However, given their size, they are pretty challenging to design and build. Engineering at that scale is challenging, particularly with components such as batteries, communications and sensors which must be miniaturized without sacrificing functionality. Its development may also signal a broader trend. For example, the US, Norway and other countries are also investing in micro-UAVs for both military and non-military purposes.

The micro UAV Black Hornet, a palm-sized, helicopter-shaped drone developed in Norway, is widely used by armed forces around the globe. This palm-sized device is in service with many Western militaries and is used for close-range scouting. The latest version, “Black Hornet 4,” has improved durability and range. Developed by Teledyne FLIR Defence, this drone won the 2025 US Department of Defence Blue UAS Refresh award, which recognises unmanned aerial systems. The model’s enhanced battery life, weather resilience and communication range address common challenges faced by microdrone developers. It also urges innovative use of unmanned systems and highlights their ‘decisive and dominant’ role in future conflicts. Harvard has also previously unveiled its RoboBee micro-UAV. Similarly powered using flapping “wings,” this drone can fly, land, and even transition from water to air. In 2021, the US Air Force confirmed that it was developing tiny drones. However, there have been no updates regarding any completed technology or deployment. It also highlights a global race where small, intelligent and stealthy robots could redefine how both soldiers and scientists interact with the world, whether on a battlefield or inside a human body.

China’s military mouthpiece has called for the large-scale and centralised deployment of unmanned combat forces at key locations to fully realise their potential in any future intelligent warfare, amid rising tensions with the US in the Indo-Pacific. PLA Daily urged “innovative” organisation and applications of unmanned systems, highlighting their “decisive and dominant” role in future conflicts, including the capability to conduct close-range precision strikes. “Driven by technologies such as autonomous unmanned systems and advanced networks, unmanned combat innovation is undergoing dramatic transformation,” the article said. Beyond military applications, micro-UAVs like these could have essential roles in other industries. In the medical sciences, for example, similar technologies are being researched for use in surgery, drug delivery, diagnostics and medical imaging. It could also be used in applications such as environmental monitoring, where future microdrones could be utilized for pollution tracking, crop monitoring or disaster response. Looking at the bigger picture, “microdrones” like these mark a significant step in military micro-robotics, demonstrating that countries like China are advancing rapidly in next-generation surveillance tools.