We love seeing our supported talent soar! Huge congratulations to Matthew Penn, a former postgraduate intern supported by the Defence Science Institute (DSI), for his pivotal role in groundbreaking aerospace research at RMIT University.
Collaborating with the University of Bristol, Matt and the team developed a bio-inspired robotic kestrel to study how birds navigate severe wind gusts.
Given this technology applies directly to both commercial applications (like search & rescue or parcel delivery) and critical tactical defence frameworks, it represents a high-value dual-use capability. With climate change driving increased atmospheric turbulence, these insights are crucial for designing next-generation, resilient small UAVs (drones) that can fly when others are grounded.
“Birds don’t rely on a single response to wind gusts. They constantly adjust their wings and tails to stay balanced, while the natural flexibility of their feathers and joints helps absorb sudden changes in airflow.” — Matt Penn, RMIT Researcher & DSI Alumnus
🚀 Next Steps & Industry Collaboration
The findings have just been published across two papers in the Journal of The Royal Society Interface (DOIs: 10.1098/rsif.2025.0978 & 10.1098/rsif.2025.0930).
RMIT is now seeking industry partners to help translate these bio-inspired insights into next-generation aircraft design.
🤝 Want to collaborate? Reach out directly to research.partnerships@rmit.edu.au.
We are incredibly proud to have supported Matt early in his research journey. This project is a perfect example of how investing in bright minds unlocks future defence and aviation capabilities!
📷 credits: RMIT University
