Development of Secure Architecture for Multi-Domain Drone Swarms

SeeByte, in partnership with Blue Bear, have received a contract from the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (DSTL) to research and develop a secure architecture for Mixed Multi-Domain Swarms (MMDS) of Robotic Autonomous Systems (RAS).

The collaborative task forms part of DSTL Maritime Autonomous Systems (MAS) program which aims to ensure the Royal Navy can securely operate swarms of mixed multi-domain UxVs. 

Phase 1 of this work will define the MMDS architecture that enables RAS systems to collaborate in swarms of mixed multi-domain vehicles and deliver the mission vignettes. This work employs secure-by-design practises from the outset to ensure the architecture can be implemented within known and manageable levels of cyber risk agreed with the authority.

SeeByte is leading the partnership bringing its knowledge of maritime autonomy in surface and sub surface domains and Blue Bear is bringing their knowledge of the air domain and air assurance. Both UK companies are said to be at the forefront of innovation and technology, bringing together an unprecedented level of subject matter expertise in multi-domain swarming autonomy. 

Phase 1 is a 12-month research program. Potential follow-on phases will seek to implement, test, and evaluate the MMDS architecture.

Scott Reed, CTO at SeeByte, said: “We are immensely proud to be supporting DSTL and the wider UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) in the first phase of this exciting project, as we work together with Blue Bear to address some of the most pressing defense challenges in delivering secure distributed autonomy at scale and mass.”