EDGE Group, a UAE-based advanced technology group that develops disruptive solutions for defense and beyond, has unveiled swarming drones, an innovative application of AI technology that allows drones to ‘swarm’ together in a coordinated mission.
Swarming drones built by EDGE offer increased defensive and offensive options to military forces. Participating as the official Strategic Partner in its second appearance Unmanned Systems Exhibition and Conference (UMEX 2022), taking place at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC) until February 23, Edge’s drones are based on the Hunter 2 series of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) developed by Halcon.
Designed to ensure a decisive edge in combat, the ground-launched drones fly to perform a coordinated mission that can overwhelm an adversary. The tactical drones use advanced artificial intelligence (AI) technology to share information with one another in order to track and maintain their relative positions, as well as to engage targets effectively.
Saeed Al Mansoori CEO – HALCON
“We see AI playing a critical role in the advancement of the defense sector and beyond, and Edge and Halcon are determined to remain at the cutting-edge of these developments that are shaping our sector and the wider world, from our base in the UAE. The level of autonomy afforded by these swarming drones is a significant achievement for us, and we are committed to fast-tracking R&D investments in these domains to bring related products to market with speed in the areas of autonomous systems and smart munitions.”
The swarm of drones, which have a maximum take-off weight of 8 kg, are agile and responsive while being directed to their target, which may be enemy fighter jets on the tarmac at a military facility, or an incoming convoy of enemy armored vehicles. The winged UAVs can be deployed in a matter of seconds, featuring a wingspan of 1.44 meters and a length of 1.25 meters.
