Russia's latest military drone is disguised as an owl choking on a light bulb

Move over Hedwig, because Russian military developers have designed a new aerial reconnaissance drone that’s disguised as a snowy owl. The bird of prey turned heads at Russia’s “Army-2019” forum this week, when the “Era” military technology center set up video screens to show footage demonstrating the drone’s capability of guiding aviation and artillery.

In place of a beak, the owl-drone has a transparent panel for its camera lens, giving its face the appearance of a bird that’s swallowed a light bulb. The drone can remain in the air for up to 40 minutes.

Creators of the device say they’re also developing a drone disguised as a falcon that will even be outfitted with speakers capable of imitating falcon sounds, as a means of frightening away birds that gather near airfields.