A10 Formation Disruption

Title

A10 models the breakdown and recovery of collective flight formationsthe V of geese, starling murmurations, dense migratory flocksin the face of external perturbations. The model integrates two physical levels that operate simultaneously. At the individual aerodynamic level (E18), the loss of the optimal position relative to the leader bird eliminates the benefit of the vorticity field and immediately increases the power required by the follower by 2030%. At the collective level (E19), the disturbance propagates as a wave through the flock with a speed that can exceed the flight speed, and the recovery of global order is described by the dynamics of the Vicsek order parameter. Modeled perturbations include: leader disappearance, predator or drone intrusion, strong crosswind, and collision breakup (A9) of a member. The model allows calculating the transient energy cost of the disruption and the time until the formation recovers aerodynamic efficiency.

ID:4220