The Torch
Illuminating Security and Defence Issues
Emerging Technologies
Drone Wars: Developments in Drone Swarm Technology
26 March 2025
“Drone swarms”, as defined by the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO), consist of coordinated systems of at least three and potentially thousands of drones that can perform missions autonomously with minimal human oversight. These swarms leverage swarm intelligence, mirroring biological patterns seen in groups of ants, bees, or birds, where decentralized rules create complex collective behavior.