Secret Drone Project Completed in Record Time

The Defence Forces and Saab have developed a secret drone project for the army over the past year. With new software, swarms consisting of drones will be able to be controlled.

» Published:

Secret Drone Project Completed in Record Time
Photo: Pontus Lundahl/TT

Share this article

With a new software that can be mounted on almost any type of drone, drones will be able to form swarms and perform tasks automatically without the operator having to handle all the details.

They can be as many as you want, thousands if you want, says Saab's CEO Micael Johansson.

He also states that a soldier can learn to use the software in a few days.

It's not about piloting drones, but you give them a mission on an iPad or mobile phone, then the drone swarm goes out and does it.

The drones can be used, for example, to guard a road and send back images, such as detecting enemy objects. By using swarms, large areas can be covered and if some are disrupted, the rest reorganize to continue covering the entire area.

Like "trucks"

Using the software to enable drones to carry weapons and attack enemy soldiers has not been part of the project.

You can update this software and do fantastic things in the long run, says Saab's CEO.

The Army Chief of Staff Jonny Lindfors sees the drones as "trucks" that can carry any load.

But the fundamental principle that still applies is that in an armed operation, there must be a human who makes the decisions, he says.

Exercise planned

Getting the new system to the units is estimated to take a year, but soldiers at I13 have already started training on it. In March, drone swarms will also be used in the Arctic Strike exercise in Sweden.

Lindfors states that the Swedish Armed Forces are purchasing drones and that it involves tens of thousands. How much the software from Saab costs is secret.

Besides new drone capabilities, the project aims to find processes that enable the defense to quickly adopt innovations.

"Uniquely fast"

According to Defense Minister Pål Jonson (M), such a project normally takes 4-5 years to complete. This took a year.

It's uniquely fast, he says.

The speed is important for the Swedish Armed Forces to always have access to the latest technology. The fact that it went so fast this time is due, among other things, to the Army Chief of Staff and the Defense Minister being personally involved and quickly able to give decisions on what is and is not allowed according to the rules of authorities and departments.

An investigation will be conducted in the spring, based on the experience from the drone project, to propose changes to the regulations that are needed.

Tags

Author

TTT
By TTEnglish edition by Sweden Herald, adapted for local and international readers

More news

Teenage Boys Charged in Uppsala Fatal Shooting

Teenage Boys Charged in Uppsala Fatal Shooting

WMO Report Predicts More Intense Rainfall and Drought Worldwide

WMO Report Predicts More Intense Rainfall and Drought Worldwide

Southern Sweden Water Shortage Eases Slightly After Dry Summer

Southern Sweden Water Shortage Eases Slightly After Dry Summer

Man in His 20s Charged with Severe Rape in Skelleftehamn

Man in His 20s Charged with Severe Rape in Skelleftehamn

Salmonella Outbreak Linked to Eggs Affects Multiple Regions

Salmonella Outbreak Linked to Eggs Affects Multiple Regions

Swedish Worker in 20s Dies in Norwegian Oil Refinery Accident

Swedish Worker in 20s Dies in Norwegian Oil Refinery Accident

Motorcycle Crash in Tanum Leaves Driver Critically Injured

Motorcycle Crash in Tanum Leaves Driver Critically Injured

Thunberg's Convoy Representatives Meet with Hamas in Algeria

Thunberg's Convoy Representatives Meet with Hamas in Algeria

Greta Thunberg Steps Down from Gaza Flotilla Steering Group

Greta Thunberg Steps Down from Gaza Flotilla Steering Group

Motorcyclist in Malmö Accident Arrested After Knife Threat

Motorcyclist in Malmö Accident Arrested After Knife Threat

Shooting at Norsborg Apartment Door Sparks Police Investigation

Shooting at Norsborg Apartment Door Sparks Police Investigation

Head-On Collision Near Falkenberg Sends Three to Hospital

Head-On Collision Near Falkenberg Sends Three to Hospital

Säpo Budget Increases to Counter Russian Security Threat

Säpo Budget Increases to Counter Russian Security Threat

Police Admit Legal Breach in Case of Missing 14-Year-Old Mohamed

Police Admit Legal Breach in Case of Missing 14-Year-Old Mohamed

Parliament Approves Secret Coercive Measures for Children Under 15

Parliament Approves Secret Coercive Measures for Children Under 15

Cyberattack Hits Defense-Linked Companies in Sweden

Cyberattack Hits Defense-Linked Companies in Sweden

Postnord Sorting Machine Breakdown Delays 70,000 Packages

Postnord Sorting Machine Breakdown Delays 70,000 Packages

Student Injured in Suspected Attempted Murder at Bengtsfors School

Student Injured in Suspected Attempted Murder at Bengtsfors School

Teen Arrested for Attempted Murder in Borås Stabbing

Teen Arrested for Attempted Murder in Borås Stabbing

Second Arrest Made in Kallhäll Double Murder Investigation

Second Arrest Made in Kallhäll Double Murder Investigation