China’s National University of Defense Technology (NUDT) has developed a microdrone the size of a mosquito, raising global concerns about surveillance and potential military use. Chinese state media showcased the miniature device on Friday, describing it as ideal for “information reconnaissance and special missions on the battlefield.”
The drone, displayed by NUDT student Liang Hexiang, features a thin body, delicate wings, and legs resembling those of a real insect. While specifics about its range, battery life, and data capabilities were not disclosed, its design hints at applications in covert surveillance and espionage.
Microdrones—classified as UAVs under 250 grams—are a rapidly growing focus for military and intelligence research. Their size and agility make them difficult to detect and ideal for missions in hostile or urban environments. Notably, the Chinese military already deploys AI-controlled drone swarms and sub-kilogram UAVs capable of carrying small explosives.
China’s mosquito drone appears visually similar to Harvard’s 2019 “RoboBee,” a U.S. project that developed an insect-sized drone powered by artificial muscles. Though RoboBee currently functions only in controlled lab settings, its developers envision future uses in crop pollination, search and rescue, and environmental monitoring.
Western armed forces currently use microdrones like the Black Hornet 4—a palm-sized reconnaissance drone with thermal and night vision—designed for on-the-ground military units. However, the potential of flapping-wing drones to silently enter areas unnoticed and transmit video or deliver toxins presents a new frontier in both intelligence and warfare.
As microdrone technology advances, questions about ethics, military use, and global surveillance will intensify. China’s new development signals a clear message: the race for dominance in next-generation spy tech is well underway.
