British Army tests autonomous drone swarm technology

The British Army has completed an eight-week experimentation phase using the Swarm Capability Test Bed (CTB), which utilizes eight unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). Developed by the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl) in collaboration with Army Headquarters and industry partners, the project represents the first phase of the Software Defined Swarms Concept Demonstrator. This initiative builds upon activities conducted under AUKUS Pillar 2.

The trials focused on “true swarming,” a capability where groups of robots are commanded collaboratively as a single unit rather than as several individually controlled drones. This technology is intended to support roles such as intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance for forward-deployed forces. The underlying technology may also be applicable to unmanned ground and surface vehicles.

Two industry-led approaches were tested in realistic operational environments. The first was provided by BlueBear, a Saab company, featuring a platform capable of managing 21 systems simultaneously. The second was provided by the Disruptor Group, a consortium of UK companies led by Applied Intuition. The systems are currently being used by the Army’s Experimentation and Trials Group, with further live flying and trials planned through 2026 and 2027.