Swarm technologies draw inspiration from nature, specifically from living beings that move collectively and behave as a single cognitive entity.
To fully grasp swarm technologies, it is essential to understand the concept ofswarm intelligence, defined as “the collective behavior of autonomous and distributed systems.” The objective of swarm intelligence is to leverage all the information and capabilities of individual elements in the swarm to achieve a more optimized solution.
Swarm technologies can operate under either centralized architectures—where swarm elements are controlled from a single point—or decentralized architectures, where each element makes independent decisions. Centralized swarm systems become inoperable if the central node is destroyed, representing a single point of failure. In contrast, decentralized swarm systems do not suffer from this vulnerability and can tolerate the loss of individual elements up to a certain limit.
At STM, the swarm system has been developed on a decentralized architecture specifically to avoid single points of failure. Swarm systems can be classified into two categories based on the types of elements composing the swarm: homogeneous and heterogeneous swarms. In a homogeneous swarm, all elements are identical—for example, six KARGU drones operating simultaneously represent a homogeneous swarm structure.
In a heterogeneous swarm, the elements differ from one another. For instance, a swarm composed of TOGAN and KARGU UAVs is considered heterogeneous. Such heterogeneous swarm systems can be customized according to the specific requirements of a mission. STM’s swarm UAV system is capable of executing both homogeneous and heterogeneous swarm operations. The company is currently working on heterogeneous swarm concepts involving KARGU UAVs equipped with different warheads (armor-piercing and anti-personnel) and cooperative missions between the reconnaissance UAV TOGAN and the loitering munition KARGU.
Compared to single UAV systems, swarm technologies enable missions to be performed more cost-effectively and efficiently due to broader and multi-spectral situational awareness. In other words, swarm technologies allow decisions to be made based on more comprehensive information, ensuring optimal task allocation among swarm elements. STM’s swarm UAV system’s area scanning capability is built upon this principle.
During scanning operations, AI-based object detection algorithms run autonomously on the platforms to identify potential targets and present them to the user. Once a target is detected, the information is shared among all swarm elements. This eliminates the need for operators to manually monitor video feeds from each individual platform or visually inspect scanned areas. Instead, AI-based object detection algorithms autonomously scan the operational area and alert the user only about potential threats, thereby allowing operators to maintain focus on mission-critical tasks.
Swarm systems must be capable of executing various tasks under constantly changing operational conditions. Depending on mission complexity, the number of swarm elements, the number of targets in the field, and other operational factors, the swarm system should be able to operate either as a unified entity or by dividing into sub-swarms to enhance mission success and efficiency.Swarm splittingaddresses this need by enabling the swarm to divide into smaller sub-units that provide operational flexibility for engaging multiple targets across the battlespace.
Swarm splitting can be accomplished using deterministic methods as well as AI-driven algorithms. STM’s swarm UAV system supports both approaches and is actively working on optimizing swarm division strategies.
Formation flying in swarm operations serves both to enhance situational awareness and to ensure geometric coordination during diving and navigation missions. STM’s swarm UAV system supports scalable and platform-agnostic formation capabilities, including line, V-shape, triangle, delta, square, circle, and half-circle formations. These formations are selected and adapted dynamically to best address specific mission objectives and counter potential threats in the operational environment.
At STM, we regard swarm technologies not merely as an innovation but as a transformative capability with the potential to redefine future operational concepts in defense. Through our continued R&D efforts and innovative solutions, we aim to position Türkiye as a leader in swarm technologies on the global stage.