The United States military successfully launched what it�s calling �one of the world�s largest micro-drone swarms� in October. At a test site in California, the 103 Perdix drones released from three F/A-18 Super Hornets demonstrated sophisticated swarming behaviors, including collective decision-making, adaptive formation flying, and self-healing

Perdix drones are inexpensive and small � with a wingspan under 12 inches � making them attractive for the Pentagon�s swarming missions. Meanwhile, new technologies and modifications made by engineers at MIT�s Lincoln Laboratory have equipped these systems with military capabilities once exclusive to larger and more expensive machines.

�Due to the complex nature of combat, Perdix are not pre-programmed synchronized individuals, they are a collective organism, sharing one distributed brain for decision-making and adapting to each other like swarms in nature�

source & videos
https://www.defense.gov/News/News-Releas...e-demonstration
http://www.digitaltrends.com/cool-tech/perdix-drone-swarm/

future warfare looks to be getting even more scary

I'm okay with Hornets but not this. I don't like this at all.

And techno-horror film producers don't even need to have a sound or music man come up with a eerie sound effect for the swarm scene. The technology comes with it's own eerie sound!

If it means drones are flying into harm's way instead of human pilots then that's not a bad thing at all is it?

HERESY!!!

v6,
boNes

Kinda funny how HORNETS release a SWARM....wonder who thought this one up?

v6,
boNes

Had it been Tomcats it would have been called a hairball.

Is that what it will look like when Amazon starts having them deliver packages?

Sounds like an episode of Black Mirror.

A great book that features nano-bot warfare via opposing corporations or mere advertising campaigns comes from Neal Stephenson called 'The Diamond Age: Or, A Young Lady's Illustrated Primer'.
Imagine coming home from your every day job with your clothes and skin covered with the greasy remains of the casualties of the daily war between these almost microscopic messengers.

Clickety.

so what exactly can they do, besides annoying whoever is swarmed ?

Number 6 shot ... copper plated 3 inch.

I wish I hadn't had a mouthful of tea when I read this quip; still mopping keyboard here!

I don't think they have made statements about that yet. It will depend on how large a payload that each one can carry, and the creativity of the people running the program. Certainly, at a minimum they could be expected to gather real-time intelligence in at least some forms (video/IR video/RF intercepts). A swarm of small 'bots could possibly survive longer in some scenarios than fewer large assets during a critical time window. Offensive capabilities are probably planned that could utilize multiples of small payloads. Perhaps multiple conductors deployed against power supply grids, or adhesives sprayed to immobilize some enemy assets. Certainly even small amounts of explosives per 'bot can be used to create havoc when combined and guided by some form of intelligence.

Payloads? did you see how small they are ? i could envision Recon and maybe target designation,post strike target assertion etc..jamming interference,or supression of radar like those grafitti bombs.

African Bee control.

I support it being used(IF THAT IS THEIR INTENTION)to preserve infantry and airmen from tasks and situations that unnecessarily expose them to danger, but this kind of technology will be turned loose on the citizenry. Remember, this kind of tech is always going to be billed as beneficial to all so as to manipulate people into accepting it. I don't want to share my air and my environment with man made, noisy and invasive technology.

The government and intelligence agencies have time and time again proven themselves to be untrustworthy and liars. They already trespass upon and violate our personal liberties and privacy and they do so without apology. They give themselves permission to violate law with things like the Patriot Act. Its proven they do so through our smart phones and smart TVs. They like to create problems, give those problems a name and then swoop in with the solution which usually requires more control for them and less freedom and responsibility for the population all at the citizen's expense. I believe that high technology for a long time now has been one in the same with sorcery or black sciences and that the upper echelons of the compartmentalized government and military complex is absolutely twitterpated with and seduced by it.

FTFY. I've said it time and again, this planet would be a great place if it weren't for humanity. Worst creature ever.

By my estimate, there are approximately 7 billion too many people on this planet.



The Jedi Master

I am reminded of the movie Screamers.

That was a cool low budget SF flick with a nice little twist at the end.



The Jedi Master