A German drone company has announced a new advancement in autonomous swarm technology. Quantum Systems, based in Munich, shared that it successfully flew AI-controlled Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) in a swarm. The company stated that the AI enabled reliable mission execution, even in the event of individual drone failure and radio interference. Commissioned by the German Armed Forces, the tests were conducted at the Airbus Drone Centre in Manching, Bavaria.
The team first trained the AI using deep reinforcement learning, which allowed the system to refine its tactics through continuous optimization. After testing in a simulated environment, the AI took to the skies. The swarm flight combined multi-purpose Airbus drones with the Quantum Systems Vector and Scorpion UAS. The reconnaissance data from these drones merged in real-time to generate a single picture, feeding into an Airbus battle management system. The Vector drone also demonstrated autonomous reconnaissance and target acquisition capabilities when GPS is jammed, addressing a significant issue for military drones.
Quantum Systems believes that the trials have demonstrated AI’s potential to increase UAS resilience. Sven Kruck, the company’s managing director, anticipates rapid evolution in this technology. He stressed the importance of protecting soldiers and increasing safety, asserting that there will soon be no way around software-based and AI-supported systems for drone technology.
The latest advancement in autonomous swarm technology by Quantum Systems has significant implications for military drone operations, promising to enhance the resilience and reliability of Unmanned Aerial Systems. The successful flight of AI-controlled drones in a swarm presents new opportunities for increased mission execution and efficiency, as well as overcoming challenges such as individual drone failure and radio interference. This development also signals a rapid evolution of software-based and AI-supported systems for drone technology, emphasizing the growing importance of these technologies in the military and defense sector. Quantum Systems’ achievement represents a significant step forward in the future of drone operations, offering enhanced protection and safety for soldiers.