Multi-drone control: new technology already in use at the front and easing logistics
The Ministry of Defence of Ukraine and the Brave1 defense innovation cluster are working to scale up technology for controlling groups of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).
This technology, multi-drone control, is already helping deliver cargo more efficiently at the front.
What is multi-drone control technology?
Group control of drones means that the drones take off one after another and fly to a designated point without GPS. This allows them to remain invulnerable to enemy electronic warfare (EW) systems.
Technically, it works as follows:
- the operator specifies an area on the map, and the system automatically calculates routes for the entire group, preventing collisions;
- the drones fly autonomously without GPS and maintain their orientation under EW thanks to secure communications.
All the drones are connected to a single control interface. The operator switches between them with one click and takes over manual control only in the final minutes of the mission.
How multi-drone control affects logistics at the front
Service members of the 108th Separate Assault Battalion “Da Vinci Wolves” of the 59th Separate Assault Brigade of Unmanned Systems named after Yakiv Handziuk were among the first to systematically use multi-drone control for logistics missions.
The technology is already producing results for the unit. Thanks to its use, the number of cargo deliveries doubled within a month.
The Ministry of Defence and Brave1 continue to develop solutions that help defenders increase their capabilities and carry out vital missions more effectively.
As previously reported, Ukraine is the first in the world to develop evacuation UAVs as a dedicated capability. They are already rescuing wounded soldiers where ground evacuation is impossible: from positions blocked by the enemy, across mined routes, and over water obstacles.
