![AI-powered UAV swarms](https://dronelife.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/unnamed-136-300x158.jpg)
by DRONELIFE Staff Author Ian M. Crosby
Airbus Defence and Space GmbH, Quantum-Systems GmbH and Spleenlab GmbH have been awarded a research endeavor from the Planning Office of the German Armed Forces to reveal and analyze the AI elements essential for swarms of tactical UAS in a real-world scenario. With a deal with the effectiveness of tactical UAS, the project often called KITU 2 (Künstliche Intelligenz für taktische UAS; Artificial Intelligence for tactical UAS) is being funded by the German Ministry of Defence. This partnership will allow each company to offer its key strengths.
Airbus Defence and Space will provide swarming algorithms, simulation environments and experimental hardware, in addition to required AI constructing blocks.
Quantum Systems offers the Vector 2-in-1 tactical aerial reconnaissance platform with in-built AI edge-computing capabilities. This platform, will be deployed as fixed-wing eVTOL Vector or because the multicopter Scorpion UAS, allows for heterogenous swarms. The corporate is currently developing a family of systems technique to introduce their smaller and larger platforms into the market in 2024 and 2025 and grant customers a seamless layered approach to range, flight time and payload capabilities.
Spleenlab will leverage its expertise in AI edge software for swarming, incorporating object recognition and robust navigation methods in communication denied environments.
Since 2018, the joint Important Ground Combat Systems (MGCS) program of France and Germany has been working on a brand new weapon system to enhance the defensive and offensive capabilities of fundamental battle tanks through the combination of next generation technology and multiple platforms. Meanwhile, within the Future Combat Air System (FCAS) program, France, Germany, and Spain are developing a system involving manned recent generation fighters, unmanned aircrafts, and recent weapons and communications systems.
Each of those programs intend to include multi-platform and multi-vehicle swarming on the battlefield and can profit from the KITU 2 program. Swarming allows for force multiplication through the control of multiple UASs with a smaller ground or air crew. Moreover, first studies from the continuing war in Ukraine reveal that multiple smaller and lower cost UASs could also be simpler at providing aerial reconnaissance from the battlefield as a consequence of the coverage of a wider area and the benefit of replacing a lost drone.
Read more: