W. Hemme, J. Halbig, B. Kormann

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.

Deutscher Luft- und Raumfahrtkongress 2025, Augsburg

Deutsche Gesellschaft für Luft- und Raumfahrt - Lilienthal-Oberth e.V., Bonn, 2026

Conference Paper

englisch

21,0 x 29,7 cm, 7 Seiten

urn:nbn:de:101:1-2601211444172.863168481635

10.25967/650406

UAS, Military ISR, Autonomous Systems, Hybrid AI Architecture, Emergent Behaviour, Goal-Oriented Action, GOAP, Utility System, Stigmergy

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Hemme, W.; Halbig, J.; Kormann, B. (2026): Cost-Effective Military ISR via Small Multi-Sensor UAS: Leveraging Miniaturisation for Enhanced Capability and Agile Development. Deutsche Gesellschaft für Luft- und Raumfahrt - Lilienthal-Oberth e.V.. (Text). https://doi.org/10.25967/650406. urn:nbn:de:101:1-2601211444172.863168481635.

21.01.2026