Title:
Cost-Effective Military ISR via Small Multi-Sensor UAS: Leveraging Miniaturisation for Enhanced Capability and Agile Development
Authors:
W. Hemme, J. Halbig, B. Kormann
Abstract:
The convergence of miniaturisation and advanced on-board compute is enabling a new class of cost-effective, multi-sensor Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) that are reshaping the modern battlespace. However, unlocking their full potential requires a shift from remotely piloted data collectors to truly autonomous, intelligent and coordinated teams. This paper introduces a novel, three-layer cognitive architecture that integrates a utility-based system for strategic prioritisation, a goal oriented action planner for tactical flexibility, and a stigmergic layer for decentralised coordination. Validation in a simulated military Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR), attack and supply mission demonstrates that the stigmergic coordination layer yields a profound increase in efficiency, reducing mission completion time by 46.5% and total distance travelled by 47.7%. The framework´s data-driven design also facilitates the agile development of tactics, allowing new mission sets and behaviours to be rapidly configured. The results validate a practical path towards scalable, intelligent autonomous systems capable of emergent, coordinated action in dynamic environments.
Event:
Deutscher Luft- und Raumfahrtkongress 2025, Augsburg
Location, Year:
Deutsche Gesellschaft für Luft- und Raumfahrt - Lilienthal-Oberth e.V., Bonn, 2026
Format:
21,0 x 29,7 cm, 7 Pages
Descriptors:
EN: UAS, Military ISR, Autonomous Systems, Hybrid AI Architecture, Emergent Behaviour, Goal-Oriented Action, GOAP, Utility System, Stigmergy
Citation:
Hemme, W.; Halbig, J.; Kormann, B. (2026): Cost-Effective Military ISR via Small Multi-Sensor UAS: Leveraging Miniaturisation for Enhanced Capability and Agile Development. DGLR Published Conference Papers. Volume 4. (2026). ISSN: 2941-3451. Deutsche Gesellschaft für Luft- und Raumfahrt - Lilienthal-Oberth e.V.. (Text). https://doi.org/10.25967/650406. urn:nbn:de:101:1-2601211444172.863168481635.
Publishing Date:
21.01.2026