// UNMANNED SYSTEMS AND NEXT-GEN WARFARE TERM
Swarming
Swarming refers to the coordinated operation of multiple, often autonomous, unmanned systems (like drones or robots) that work together as a collective unit to accomplish a mission. This tactic is often used to overwhelm an adversary or provide a wide-area effect.
TECHNICAL DEFINITION
Swarming is a military tactic employing a decentralized collective of numerous, interconnected autonomous unmanned systems (UAS, UGS, UMS) that leverage coordinated behavior and artificial intelligence to achieve mission objectives, such as reconnaissance, electronic warfare, or saturation attacks, by overwhelming an adversary's defenses.
BACKGROUND
Swarming is a battlefield tactic designed to maximize target saturation and thereby overwhelm or saturate the defences of the principal target or objective. Defenders can overcome attempts at swarming by launching counter-swarming measures that are designed to neutralize or otherwise repel such attacks.
READ MORE ON WIKIPEDIASYNONYMS & ALIASES
- Drone swarm
- Robotic swarm
- Multi-agent system
- Networked autonomy
- Collective robotics
- Distributed autonomy
USAGE NOTE
Swarming capabilities are a significant area of research and development in modern defense, aimed at leveraging resilience and scale over individual system sophistication.
DEVELOPERS
Organizations developing technology related to Swarming.
DARPA is a U.S. government agency responsible for developing emerging technologies for military use. They have actively pursued programs like OFFSET (OFFensive Swarm-Enabled Tactics) to develop autonomous swarming capabilities for small unmanned aircraft systems in urban environments, focusing on human-swarm teaming.
A major U.S. defense contractor, Lockheed Martin invests in autonomous systems, artificial intelligence, and collaborative technologies for various platforms, including UAVs and ground vehicles. Their work involves developing advanced algorithms for multi-domain swarming operations and coordinated autonomous behaviors.
Kratos specializes in affordable, high-performance unmanned aerial systems, often referred to as 'attritable' drones. They are developing platforms like the XQ-58A Valkyrie and UTAP-22 Mako, designed to operate in swarms, act as 'loyal wingmen,' and perform collaborative missions with manned aircraft.
A global defense, security, and aerospace company, BAE Systems is researching and developing advanced autonomous systems and AI for military applications. Their efforts include exploring the use of swarming unmanned aerial and ground vehicles for intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance, and strike missions.
Northrop Grumman is a leading defense contractor developing advanced autonomous systems and network-centric capabilities. They focus on integrated battle management systems and collaborative autonomous platforms that can operate in coordinated swarms across various domains to enhance mission effectiveness and survivability.
ARL conducts fundamental research to provide innovative scientific solutions for the U.S. Army. Their work includes significant investment in robotics, artificial intelligence, and human-agent teaming, with a strong focus on developing autonomous swarming capabilities for ground and aerial robotic systems.
As the U.S. Navy's corporate laboratory, NRL conducts broad scientific research and advanced technological development. Their programs include developing intelligent autonomous systems, robotics, and networked unmanned vehicles capable of performing coordinated swarming behaviors in maritime and aerial environments for defense applications.
Known for its family of Predator and Reaper UAS, GA-ASI is actively developing 'attritable' aircraft and advanced autonomy for collaborative combat aircraft (CCA) concepts. This includes technologies for unmanned teaming, where multiple autonomous systems operate in coordinated swarms to augment manned platforms.
RTX develops advanced sensing, communications, and control systems critical for autonomous operations. Their work includes command and control for networked unmanned systems, enabling collaborative decision-making and coordinated behaviors essential for military swarming applications across various domains.