Airbus and Quantum Systems showcase AI-powered drone swarm for Bundeswehr 

The Airbus Drone Center near Manching hosted a presentation to demonstrate the results of the Bundeswehr’s KITU 2 study (“Artificial Intelligence for Tactical UAS”).  

The study was commissioned by the German Armed Forces in July 2023, in collaboration with German drone manufacturer Quantum Systems and software company Spleenlab. Airbus Defence & Space, the main contractor for the KITU 2 study, has been working on solutions for using artificial intelligence to coordinate mixed UAS swarms with different capabilities. 

“For the first time, a specially developed mission-AI controls and coordinates the UAS systems to ensure reliable mission execution even in scenarios with radio interference or a complete failure of individual drones,” Quantum Systems reported in a press release. 

The AI has been taught using sophisticated deep-reinforcement learning techniques. These techniques include analyzing extensive amounts of data to provide input to the algorithm, enabling it to determine the actions required to accomplish its designated objective. 

Throughout the trial, various drone types, namely the “Vector” and “Scorpion” from Quantum Systems and two “multipurpose” aircraft provided by Airbus, demonstrated the ability to fly in groups. 

“The reconnaissance data from all the drones was merged in real time to form a joint situation picture and integrated into the Airbus “Fortion Joint C2” battle management system,” Quantum Systems explained. “In addition, the Vector drones demonstrated their ability to autonomously perform missions such as joint reconnaissance and target acquisition under GPS-denied conditions (GNSS denied), such as those found in Ukraine.” 

The results of the KITU 2 study will be utilized in the Franco-German Future Combat Air System program, which is designed as a ‘system of systems’ centered on a sixth-generation fighter jet.  

Multiple armed forces have expressed interest in gaining expertise in controlling drone swarms, including for the purpose of engaging in “collaborative combat” alongside piloted fighters.  

In a study published in Science Robotics in 2022, Chinese researchers from Zhejiang University demonstrated a swarm of drones that could autonomously fly together in an unfamiliar and constrained space, such as a forest. 

In August 2023, the US Department of Defense introduced a new initiative known as “Replicator” aimed at countering China’s People’s Liberation Army’s “mass” with thousands of attritable unmanned systems. 

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