Dutch Firm Guard From Above Unveils 'Evolution Eagle' Biomimetic Drone — Assembly Ready in Three Minutes
Guard From Above, the Dutch company famed for training eagles to intercept rogue drones, has launched the Evolution Eagle — a bird-shaped UAV powered by twin electric motors. Featuring a modular payload bay compatible with thermal cameras and mapping sensors, the aircraft can be fully disassembled into a carry case and reassembled in approximately three minutes, with hand-launch capability requiring no runway.
Highlights
- Guard From Above, a Dutch company known for eagle-based drone interception, launched the Evolution Eagle biomimetic UAV in 2024.
- The Evolution Eagle is powered by two electric motors with propellers at the wing leading edges — it does not use flapping flight.
- The drone can be disassembled into a carry case and reassembled in approximately three minutes using hand-launch deployment, requiring no runway.
- A modular payload bay supports thermal imaging cameras, mapping sensors, and other surveillance equipment for flexible mission configuration.
- Reports indicate Ukrainian armed forces are testing bird-inspired drone designs, highlighting growing military interest in biomimetic UAVs.
Guard From Above, the Dutch company that gained international recognition for training eagles to intercept small drones, officially launched its latest product in 2024: the Evolution Eagle, a biomimetic fixed-wing UAV designed to closely resemble a bird in flight.
Design: Bird Looks, Motor-Driven Performance
Unlike some earlier ornithopter concepts, the Evolution Eagle does not fly by flapping its wings. Instead, it is powered by two electric motors with propellers mounted at the leading edges of the wings, delivering reliable thrust while preserving a convincing avian silhouette. The combination allows for greater flight stability compared to true flapping-wing designs.
Operators control the aircraft from the ground via an onboard FPV (First-Person View) camera, enabling real-time piloting without direct line-of-sight dependence.
Modular Payload Bay for Mission Flexibility
The Evolution Eagle features a built-in modular payload bay that can be configured for different mission profiles. Compatible payloads include:
- Thermal imaging cameras
- Mapping sensors
- Other surveillance and reconnaissance equipment
This interchangeable system allows operators to rapidly adapt the drone for various tasks — from border surveillance to environmental monitoring — without requiring a separate airframe.
Rapid Deployment: Airborne in Under Three Minutes
For ease of transport, the Evolution Eagle breaks down completely and fits inside a dedicated carry case. According to the manufacturer, the drone can go from unpacked to fully assembled and ready for launch in approximately three minutes. It uses a hand-launch method, eliminating the need for a runway or dedicated launch equipment and significantly enhancing field mobility for rapid-response operations.
A New Milestone in Biomimetic UAV Design
Bird-shaped drones are not a new concept, but the Evolution Eagle represents one of the most prominent recent examples of production-ready biomimetic UAV design.
Notably, reports circulating online suggest that Ukrainian armed forces have been testing or deploying bird-inspired drone designs modeled on various avian species, signaling growing military interest in the stealth and concealment advantages that biomimetic form factors can offer.
Image credit: Guard From Above
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