The North Caucasus Federal University reports that scientist Vladimir Antonov has developed a control system for a cluster of drones that enables them to coordinate and solve problems through autonomous negotiation. This update comes via the university’s press center and referenced by TASS.
According to the briefing, the strength of the system lies in its decentralization. There is no central server directing every robot; each drone operates with its own intelligence. Through collective voting, the drones decide which units to involve and which tasks to pursue based on evolving circumstances. They are described as forming a flock intelligence, a term used by the press center to convey the emergent cooperation among machines.
The project, titled Development of methods and algorithms for the UAV swarm control system when performing heterogeneous tasks, receives a grant from the President of Russia. The team intends to validate the algorithm on ground-based robotic platforms as a test case for the swarm approach.
Experts foresee that in time such drone swarms could assist firefighters and rescue workers, law enforcement, and other frontline responders by extending capabilities in dangerous or hard-to-reach environments. The potential for autonomous coordination in high-stakes scenarios could reduce risk to human personnel while expanding operational reach.
Earlier communications from Russia’s National Technology Initiative highlighted the creation of the drone Begalet-Mirage. Beyond vertical take-off and landing, this unmanned aerial vehicle is capable of extended endurance, reportedly spending up to 12 hours aloft at altitudes around eight thousand meters.
Prior developments included the unveiling of Russia’s first jet-powered FPV kamikaze drone of the K-5 aircraft family during a defense-focused exhibition at VDNKh, presented by the Ural company Unmanned Vehicles. The event showcased advances in rapid-deployment aerial platforms and their evolving roles in modern security and emergency response operations.