Peregrine falcon inspires engineers at East Lancashire's BAE Systems sites (From Lancashire Telegraph)

Peregrine falcon inspires engineers at East Lancashire's BAE Systems sites

10:29am Monday 15th October 2012 in News By Lisa Woodhouse, Assistant picture editor

ONE of the fastest birds in the world has helped to inspire the world of aviation.

The peregrine falcon, considered to be one of the most successful birds of prey in the world, has been studied by BAE Systems.

For years engineers have recognised that nature has probably encountered problems and resolved those issues through evolution.

Typhoon test pilot Mark Bowman said: “It’s a sensible place to start looking for a solution.

“The peregrine falcons’ hooked bill, powerful wings, large feet and sharp talons all contribute to it being the fastest bird in the world so it’s no surprise that it has inspired developments in aviation and technology for years.

“Take the solution to managing airflow in and around the jet engine, a repetition from nature.

“The air pressure from a 200mph dive on its prey could damage the bird’s lungs if it wasn’t for the small cone-shaped bones within its nostrils enabling the bird to breathe more easily while diving.

“A similar cone design was devised to tackle the same issue in the jet engine. The Typhoon and the falcon proves it.

“Both come packed with aerodynamic prowess and some serious attack capabilities built in.

“With uncompromising speed and agility the Peregrine falcon and the Typhoon aircraft have a few things in common.”

To this day the peregrine falcon plays an important part in the development of aircraft. Lancashire falcons are used on a daily basis to scare birds from the airfield at Warton to reduce the risk of bird strikes for pilots.

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