How Close is the Military to Perfecting ‘Swarm’ Drones?
- Posted on August 23, 2011 at 5:41pm by
Liz Klimas
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Boening recently sent two unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs or drones) on a mission using swarm technology. Although testing drones isn’t new, the fact that the two drones were two different types of aircraft is.
Popular Science has more about what’s called the “swarm” concept:
This project is unique because it integrates two disparate types of aircraft, which is likely to be necessary if drone swarms are ever called up for duty.
In a disaster area or war zone, if drones are present at all, odds are pretty good that they won’t all be exactly the same, or they at least won’t have the same hardware. Swarms of these unrelated drones would need some common communications system in order to work together. Ideally, drone swarms could improve response times, by letting drones work out the most efficient routes and sorties amongst themselves. [John's Hopkins University's] swarming technology is designed to do just that — and reduce human pilot requirements.
According to a release by Boeing, two ScanEagles manufactured by Boeing subsidiary Insitu and one Procerus Unicorn from The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory were sent on a reconnaissance mission above Oregon where they communicated using Mobile Ad Hoc Network and swarm technology developed by Johns Hopkins:
Swarm technology is similar to how insects communicate and perform tasks as an intelligent group. The UAVs worked together to search the test area through self-generating waypoints and terrain mapping, while simultaneously sending information to teams on the ground. A broader demonstration is planned for the end of September.
“This is a milestone in UAV flight,” said Gabriel Santander, Boeing Advanced Autonomous Networks program director and team leader. “The test team proved that these unmanned aircraft can collect and use data while communicating with each other to support a unified mission. This swarm technology may one day be used for search-and-rescue missions or identifying enemy threats ahead of ground patrols.”
ScanEagle was one of the unmanned aerial vehicles tested by Boeing using swarm technology (Photo: Marion Doss/Flickr)
Through three UAVs may not quite constitute a “swarm,” Gizmodo points out that the technology for a successful swarm is getting there:
These independent drones could be incredibly useful for ground troops, but obviously the potential of this technology is not going to stop there. It’s not hard or crazy to imagine swarms of small, inexpensive, mass produced combat drones, perhaps with reactive skins and embedded warheads.
These warbirds would be given enemy signatures and, perhaps aided by other reconnaissance drones, they would be capable of taking down enemy planes, attack armored ground forces or destroy whatever hostile target they acquire.
According to Popular Science, Boeing has more tests planned for September.
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Comments (61)
babylonvi
Posted on August 24, 2011 at 1:05amThe NWO will use these to eliminate uncooperative citizens when human pilots refuse to fire on fellow Americans.
Report Post »navyjake95
Posted on August 24, 2011 at 12:36pmExactly right!
Report Post »CynicalPatriot
Posted on August 24, 2011 at 12:22amThere‘s something wrong with you if this story doesn’t give you a creepy feeling.
Report Post »SavingtheRepublic.com
Posted on August 24, 2011 at 2:45amCyberdyne Systems Model T-FHK002
Report Post »thegodfather
Posted on August 23, 2011 at 11:59pmJohn Conner tried to warn us. It’s Skynet…just like in the Terminator movies.
Report Post »thegodfather
Posted on August 23, 2011 at 11:57pmImperial Probe Droids.
Report Post »Raven249
Posted on August 24, 2011 at 10:47amFor the Alliance? I wonder how easy it is to make anti-air weapons..?
Report Post »timej31
Posted on August 23, 2011 at 10:52pmWouldn’t stringing nets and wires help reduce this as they did in ww2? What about a giant flyswatter?
Report Post »GhostOfJefferson
Posted on August 23, 2011 at 11:24pmAll dead with one decent radio jam. Clearly the plan on attacking stupid people with these.
Report Post »Tiny280
Posted on August 23, 2011 at 11:34pmThat would be a problem if our adversaries had the support of a modern industrial infrastructure, but that is not the case in asymetrical warfare. With our current pack of adversaries, it is not likely they could manage such defenses over anything but a very small area, if that. Plus, those small-scale swarming drone defenses would tell us where to send the BIG bombs.
Report Post »INOGAWD
Posted on August 24, 2011 at 12:01am@ GhostOfJefferson
Posted on August 23, 2011 at 11:24pm
All dead with one decent radio jam. Clearly the plan on attacking stupid people with these.
In that case, they could test them on MSNBC studios…….
Report Post »shempship
Posted on August 24, 2011 at 10:16amghostofjefferson…Modern telemetry systems use one of many forms of direct sequence spread spectrum communications. Not only does this make it virtually impossible to jam, but it is very difficult to even detect the radio signals without having very sophisticated hardware available.
Report Post »inferno
Posted on August 23, 2011 at 10:00pmThey will probably be used by Obama to make sure we are eating our peas.
Report Post »JLGunner
Posted on August 24, 2011 at 2:09pmor to throw the Anthony Weiner pies.
Report Post »capitalismrocks
Posted on August 23, 2011 at 9:54pmThe Chinese will be making cheap knocks in a week….
Report Post »Al J Zira
Posted on August 23, 2011 at 9:13pmDid we get China’s permission to develop this?
Report Post »Bernard
Posted on August 23, 2011 at 7:47pmThe biggest impediment to these “swarm drones” is the issue of collateral damage. This new technology will not be used in battle, instead it will enter the lucrative arms market just like so many of our advanced military inventions. Some other nation will get the opportunity to use it.
Report Post »Ruler4You
Posted on August 23, 2011 at 8:28pmIt’s even less difficult to imagine “swarms” of surveillance drones even cheaper and more invasive to citizens. Cost is no issue for the destruction of ‘enemy’ resources. So this is really irrelevant unless the real issue is perfecting specific capabilities cheaply for other purposes.
Report Post »vtech61
Posted on August 23, 2011 at 7:21pmEMP will kill ALL the drones.
Shhhhhhh, don’t tell anyone I told you this info. :-)
Report Post »CaliforniaArtist
Posted on August 23, 2011 at 8:44pmAlthough EMP can nullify computer chips etc. A Farady cage surrounding the circuitry can prevent all but the strongest EMP (Nuclear Blast) from reaching the military’s ruggedized electronics. Even nuclear blast generated EMP’s strength will diminsh according to the inverse square law so such a blast of EMP will still have difficulties covering such militarized electronics if said electronics is spread out over hundreds of miles.
Report Post »OH, I Get It!
Posted on August 23, 2011 at 9:16pmThat’s why IBM is developing processors based on fiber-optics (light) rather than electrons.
Report Post »SgtB
Posted on August 23, 2011 at 11:59pmAs a military aviation comm/nav tech, I have to agree with Californiaartist. It would take a serious EMP burst to down a US military aircraft. Unlike ALL civilian electronics which come with the note that they must accept interference, even if it is harmful; the military doesn’t work with these restrictions. That is why every window in an aircraft has a thin sheet of metal imbeded in it and a ground strap to the airframe(which usually carries a static charge anyway).
Report Post »YepImaConservative
Posted on August 23, 2011 at 7:14pm“Swarm concept.” Another way to describe the flash mobbing minority hate crime criminals at say….. the Wisconsin State Fair?
Report Post »ProbIemSoIver
Posted on August 23, 2011 at 7:05pmWhat do we need these for ? we have nukes ! No one will invade our shores ! This is another contract from our government ( who are no longer “politicians” or a “Government” just a bunch of criminals posing as such, that actually work for the owner’s of Boeing, indirectly.) for Boeing, a Military / Industrial Complex member, owned by the global elite, to further propagate the OFFENSIVE wars that steal your tax dollars !!
Report Post »What if a radical group from the U.S.A. attacked Moscow and China and killed thousands ?
What if Russia and China Invaded the U.S.A. looking for these “terrorists” and decided they would also spread Communism while they were here, to help you and I from the evil Capitalists? What if they were here for over a Decade without any real deadline, to pull out ?
Did I wake Anyone up? Did I remove those Blinders?
RON PAUL *2012*
euragone
Posted on August 23, 2011 at 7:21pmWhy would they Invade our Shores.. they can just cross our southern border with no one to stop them.. Way to GO Washington.. Besides most of the invaders are already here…
Report Post »ProbIemSoIver
Posted on August 23, 2011 at 7:35pmThat is another assault on our Country by the global elite.
Report Post »United we Stand divided we fall !!!
Diversity was the successful formula of coming to America from around the world, and becoming an American and living the American Lifestyle and Culture.
“Multiculturalism” is Come here from abroad to live, Don‘t have any interest in becoming an American and denouncing America and it’s lifestyle and Culture. This was also conceived by the global progressives to destroy American from within. There is an economic AND social Attack on our Country and it’s Sovereignty !!!
billybe123
Posted on August 23, 2011 at 7:40pmRight, they wont invade our shores, so they figured out to invade through the white house! Allot harder to stop!
Report Post »DesertDave54
Posted on August 24, 2011 at 1:32amoh, yeah… RON PAUL 2012… got it. A doctor who wants to legalize heroin and meth. Yeah, that’s what this country needs. I’LL PUT IT IN CAPS: A DOCTOR WHO WANTS TO LEGALIZE HEROIN AND METH. MOST LEMMINGS FOLLOWING THIS SENIOR-CITIZEN CRACKPOT REALLY DO WANT HEROIN, METH AND ALL OTHER ILLICIT DRUGS READILY AVAILABLE!! This is not a forum for your politics, you stoned-slacker.
Report Post »ChristophB
Posted on August 23, 2011 at 6:30pmI wonder if the 2nd Amendment will allow me and my neighborhood to have their own swarm. ;) I’m having Starcraft flashback.
Report Post »MONICNE
Posted on August 23, 2011 at 6:16pmI am no expert on the military, like Popular Science Magazine is, but I heard they are launching these swarms of Warfare UAVs (WAVES) from Anti-Submarines to do Operations Specialists analyses.
TEA
Report Post »progressiveslayer
Posted on August 23, 2011 at 6:33pmYou‘re right you’re no expert.
Report Post »Coyotethree
Posted on August 23, 2011 at 7:06pmRofl
Report Post »Captain Crunch
Posted on August 23, 2011 at 6:14pmTaint notin‘ my giant fly swatter can’t deal wit. Us Slopers say bring it on!
Report Post »FORLORNHOPE
Posted on August 23, 2011 at 6:13pmI read a fiction book about this swarm technology, the story was not very good but they did a good job explaining something that sounds like science fiction and was years from happening. I am surprised they are already testing this. The book was about micro-machine swarms that went crazy and were able to self adapt, weird stuff.
Report Post »Neuhouser
Posted on August 23, 2011 at 7:17pmPrey by Michael Creighton right? I loved that book.
Report Post »82dAirborne
Posted on August 23, 2011 at 6:11pm“Got Spell Check??????????????”
Report Post »MONICNE
Posted on August 23, 2011 at 6:10pmThe concept of persistent loitering mini-UAVs in flocks was introduced decades ago by Lockheed Martin Corporation.
Aurora of Manassas introduced the super high altitude solar power enhanced Orion Persistent UAV in 2009. There may be a swarm of them above your neighborhood right now.
TEA KITES!
Report Post »ProbIemSoIver
Posted on August 23, 2011 at 7:48pmYou sound like an expert to me. I’ve heard they have internet trolls like MONICNE that work right from the Pentagon. Your heart skip a beat today during the earthquake? Thought it might be a bomb? Another Plane? lol.
TEA !
Report Post »Miami
Posted on August 23, 2011 at 6:08pmCan you say Skynet anyone?
Report Post »pscully17
Posted on August 23, 2011 at 6:15pmNews Alert: Politico.com announces Al sharpton has been given the 6pm news slot on MAjor Socialist Nakedly Biased Clown network msnbc,, opposite Bret Baer. The comment section on politico they are slamming the move and many postings say CLICK!! ( off he goes)
Report Post »BOMUSTGO
Posted on August 23, 2011 at 6:01pmNever heard of Boening! Obama must have created a new company!
Report Post »MONICNE
Posted on August 23, 2011 at 6:04pmIt was Boehner.
Report Post »pscully17
Posted on August 23, 2011 at 6:05pmThis photo of small aeroplanes isnt the REAL SWARM of DRONES The REAL SCARY BIRDS are … Maxine Waters, and fredirica Wilson, and their PUBLIC statements of contempt for the teaparty… those are the drones we must ALL be worried about!!!!
Report Post »Sister_Mary
Posted on August 23, 2011 at 6:01pmSoon i’m sure ……………”and the noise of their wings was like the noise of many chariots with horses rushing into battle. They have tails like scorpions, and stings, and their power of hurting men for five months lies in their tails. They have as king over them the angel of the bottomless pit; his name in Hebrew is Abaddon, and in Greek he is called Apollyon.” (Revelation 9:1-11 RSV)”
Report Post »RebelSon
Posted on August 24, 2011 at 9:45amAnd in English, Obama?
Report Post »xoke
Posted on August 23, 2011 at 5:51pmBlaze….seriously, you misspelled the first word. There is no ‘n’ in Boeing.
In other news, that’s pretty scary stuff.
Report Post »MONICNE
Posted on August 23, 2011 at 6:04pmJust pronounce it like John Boehner does and you will be alright.
PS usually the spell checker turns the name of that particular enterprise to, “The Boring Company” LOL
Report Post »WhatsYerProblem
Posted on August 23, 2011 at 5:46pmCan they pollinate my pear tree?
Report Post »Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
Posted on August 23, 2011 at 5:44pmInteresting.
Report Post »Argenot
Posted on August 23, 2011 at 6:09pmSounds like “Skynet” from the Terminator movies. All drones were working together there too weren’t they? Now if the Chicoms hack into that network as easily as they hack into others, that is when things get interesting.
Report Post »Heffe44
Posted on August 23, 2011 at 6:19pmScrew the Chicoms… What about the riseof the Soviet Union.
Report Post »Open your eyes man!! see the real threat.
ozchambers
Posted on August 23, 2011 at 5:44pmI heard they cant be out after 9PM in Philly.
Report Post »chazman
Posted on August 23, 2011 at 6:02pm… send a swarm of a couple thousand of ‘em to IRAN!!
Report Post »Oldphoto678
Posted on August 24, 2011 at 5:32amI’d rather see them sent to every tea party rally.
Report Post »Inbred Jed
Posted on August 24, 2011 at 3:30pmOldphoto678
Posted on August 24, 2011 at 5:32am
I’d rather see them sent to every tea party rally.
Wow, I would love to hear why you would want peaceful dissenting Americans taken out. Would you care to elaborate on why you would want that to happen ?
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