A significant collaboration aimed at bolstering the capabilities of autonomous unmanned systems (UxV) has been established between Singapore’s Defence Science and Technology Agency (DSTA) and France’s Icarus Swarms. The recently signed Collaboration Agreement, announced at the Paris Air Show, marks a joint effort to propel advancements in the self-governing control of multiple UxVs.

This partnership is strategically designed to leverage the expertise of Icarus Swarms in autonomous swarming techniques, with the goal of strengthening the unmanned operational capacities of the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF). The focus of this collaborative endeavor will involve the creation of sophisticated algorithms for autonomous control across various UxVs, alongside their subsequent integration onto these systems.

A key aspect of the collaboration will be the joint exploration of methods to bolster communication resilience for UxVs. Furthermore, DSTA and Icarus Swarms will collaboratively develop and test how UxVs can independently identify and react to points of interest. This capability is expected to empower warfighters with the ability to make swift, well-informed decisions.

According to Mr. Alex Lee, Director Land Systems at DSTA, the evolving security landscape underscores the critical importance of harnessing autonomous technologies. Mr. Lee stated that this alliance would enable DSTA to generate innovative solutions, thereby contributing to the SAF’s mission success.

Echoing this sentiment, Mr. Serge Chaumette, Chief Research Officer at Icarus Swarms, conveyed that future defense capabilities would be shaped by systems that are autonomous, adaptable, and tailored for specific missions. Mr. Chaumette emphasized Icarus Swarms’ dedication to developing drone swarms that are not only intelligent but also modular, capable of carrying appropriate sensors and payloads for diverse operations. He expressed anticipation for the collaboration with DSTA.