Chinese PLA Tests Drone Swarm-Armored Vehicle Integration

China has tested a new combat system that integrates armored vehicles and drone swarms, a technology that will allow armored troops to acquire more battlefield information and launch deadly attacks.

Developed by China Aerospace Science and Industry Corporation (CASIC), the system was used by an undisclosed unit of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army for utilization training in May, Chinese state-media reported.

Drone swarms can be used to ground troops by engaging in reconnaissance, close-range aerial support and communications relay. China tested a swarm of 67 drones in 2016.

“By releasing an interconnected drone swarm, the armored vehicle on the ground can understand the battlefield situation much faster than using only a single drone, not to mention lowering the risk of casualties compared with sending human troops,” a military expert was quoted as saying by Global Times.

Drones can also be armed or launch suicide attacks, which will give the commanding vehicle a very deadly way to attack, the expert said, noting that the swarm means there would be many coordinated drones at their disposal, and it would be very difficult to intercept all of them.