What is Drone Swarm Technology?

Here is everything you need to know about Drone swarm technology and its impact on future warfare

Based on advancements in two interrelated fundamental technologies related to artificial intelligence and machine autonomy, a major shift in warfare is happening. The confluence of these technologies enables the notion of 'Drone Swarms,' which are made up of cooperative, autonomous robots that react to the battlefield as one – this concept will profoundly change the laws and character of combat in the twenty-first century. SWARM stands for "Smart War-Fighting Array of Reconfigured Modules." The fundamental 'Drone Swarm Technology' centers around the capacity of a large number of drones, often in the mini/micro category, to independently make decisions based on shared information, and has the potential to transform conflict dynamics.

In simple words, it is analogous to a colony of bees working towards a common bigger goal, yet each bee is capable of behaving independently concerning other bees to achieve that goal. Because of the large number of drones that may be a member of a drone swarm technology, the swarm as whole and individual drones can exercise great autonomy in seeking and engaging targets.

Nonstate actors have previously proved the effectiveness of swarming strikes on traditional military and economic targets using commercially available drones. The first such attack occurred on 5 January 2018 against the Russian Air and Naval Bases at Khemmiem and Tartus in West Syria, respectively, with thirteen GPS-guided drones engaged. While Russia was able to shoot/neutralize all thirteen drones engaged in the attack with minimal damage, the critical component of this technology was brought to light. The analysis found that, although being very crude and rudimentary drones constructed of wood and plastic, they were fired from a range of more than 50 km, contained warheads, and were perfectly directed to the targets.

On 14 September 2019, around ten drones were deployed to swarm two Saudi 'Aramco oil processing plants at Abqarq and Khurais with catastrophic impact — their origin was traced back to Yemen-backed Houthi militants. We are now on the verge of an age in which clever, autonomous robots will fly, communicate with one another, and collaborate to complete missions. These robot teams may number in the hundreds, creating a swarm effect that would overwhelm and defeat the opponent.

Leading military countries including the United States, China, Russia, and the United Kingdom are already participating in the development of this technology and have conducted drone swarming testing over the previous 3-4 years. The United States has been conducting drone swarming demonstrations since 2015, with the US Strategic Capabilities Office and Air Force conducting trials with 103 'Perdix Quadcopter Drones operating as a swarm in January 2017. DARPA, the US Defence Advanced Research Projects Agency, is also working on a system dubbed 'Gremlins,' which involves tiny drones the size and form of missiles meant to be dropped from planes. Meanwhile, the US Navy has an entire research program dedicated to the creation of autonomous swarms known as 'Low-Cost Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Swarming Technology' (LOCUST).

Russia is also apparently working on the notion of drone swarming and is possibly seeking to combine drones with its 'Sixth Generation Fighter Aircraft'. In countless instances, the Chinese have demonstrated their aptitude and advancement in this domain.

The first swarm of 1,108 drones was displayed in December 2017 during the Global Fortune Forum in Guangzhou. This was followed by a pre-recorded presentation of 1218 quadcopter drones swarming during the 'Pyeongchang Winter Olympics,' which stunned the audience. China has also demonstrated drone swarming with 67 bigger-size fixed-wing drones and is seriously considering deploying swarm capabilities to target US aircraft carriers. The United Kingdom is also investing in drone swarm technology, as its Defence Secretary announced last year in February that swarm squadrons will be part of the British military in the future.