U.S. Army To Test Networked Drone Swarms

The upcoming experiment in Utah is the largest drone swarm test ever conducted by the U.S. Army.

Kimberly Johnson

Friday, April 29, 2022 at 04:51 PM ET

Verified

The test will include a swarm of up to 30 drones. [Courtesy: U.S. Army]

Key Takeaways:

The U.S. Army is conducting its largest-ever drone swarm test, deploying up to 30 networked combat drones in Utah as part of its EDGE22 exercise.
The experiment involves launching Air Launched Effects (ALEs) from aircraft and ground vehicles to perform surveillance, electronic warfare, and strike missions.
This test aims to assess new tactics and technologies for future multi-domain warfare, extending reach and achieving "overmatch" against adversaries.
Lessons from EDGE22, an annual aviation-focused event involving allies and industry partners, will help advance ALE swarming behaviors and capabilities.

See a mistake? Contact us.

In the days ahead, a swarm of nearly three dozen networked combat drones will be launched from aircraft and ground vehicles, filling the sky above the Great Salt Lake Desert. While seemingly an image ripped from a script of a Hollywood blockbuster, the scene is no science fiction, but instead the largest drone swarm test ever conducted by the U.S. Army.

The drone experiment, which is being held at Dugway Proving Ground near Salt Lake City, Utah as part of the U.S. Army’s 2022 Experimental Demonstration Gateway Exercise (EDGE22), is a look to the future, according to a top Army official.