China has unveiled a sophisticated drone swarm system, reportedly capable of controlling over 90 aircraft simultaneously, according to state broadcaster CCTV. This advanced operational system, known as Atlas, is designed to streamline the management of large numbers of drones in military operations.
Broadcast footage aired on March 25 demonstrated Atlas orchestrating a complete operations chain, where three visually identical targets were placed in an attack zone. The system was showcased as autonomously identifying command vehicles, managing reconnaissance, and deploying drones—all culminating in accurate strikes on the designated targets during flight.
The Atlas system functions alongside the Swarm-2 ground combat vehicle, which serves as a launch platform. First revealed at the Airshow China 2024 in Zhuhai, the Swarm-2 is said to be capable of transporting and launching 48 fixed-wing drones. Accompanying this are command vehicles that can reportedly manage up to 96 drones simultaneously, suggesting that two launchers can operate from a single control point. The ability of one operator to oversee numerous drones has been likened to managing 100 kites on a single string. Additional support vehicles are responsible for logistical and maintenance tasks during extended missions. The Swarm-2 is associated with the China Electronics Technology Group Corp., a major state-owned defense contractor.
The Algorithms Behind the Operation
A core component of the system is an advanced swarm control algorithm. This technology purportedly enables each drone to make autonomous decisions while sharing real-time information with one another to adjust their positions and maintain tight formations, even at high speeds. The drones are also designed to adapt to environmental conditions, such as changes in wind speed and airflow disruptions, without awaiting new commands for fundamental tasks.
The modular nature of the Atlas system allows for various operational strategies on the battlefield. For instance, it facilitates saturation attacks, wherein swarms of drones overwhelm enemy air defenses from multiple angles and in successive waves. China’s advancements in drone technology coincide with its development of counter-drone measures, such as the Hurricane 3000 microwave weapon designed to neutralize drone swarms.
Atlas-enabled drones can loiter over targets to observe for extended periods before launching attacks, enhancing operational precision. Additionally, they can fly low and slow over vast distances, making detection challenging initially. According to military expert Wang Yunfei, China’s progress in artificial intelligence has made such capabilities possible. However, the United States is also seeking to advance its own swarm technology, exploring options to enhance capabilities with battle-tested UAVs.
It should be noted that all information regarding the Atlas system has been sourced from Chinese state media and affiliated experts, and none of its features have been independently verified.
