Falcons attack prey in the same way as guided missiles

Peregrine falcons attack their prey on the wing as if they were air-to-air guided missiles, a study has found. Lessons from the birds' control strategy could aid the development of robot interceptors designed to bring down rogue drones, scientists believe. For the study, researchers obtained a birds-eye-view of falcons in flight using miniature video cameras attached to the birds' backs. Peregrine falcons attack their prey on the wing as if they were air-to-air guided missiles, a study has found. For the study, researchers obtained a birds-eye-view of falcons in flight using miniature video cameras attached to the birds' backs (pictured) The scientists were surprised to find that the peregrine falcon's'terminal attack' trajectory followed a mathematical guidance law used to steer homing missiles to their targets.