How Drone Swarm Technology is Used in Emergency Communication Networks

Jul 06 2025 By Evelyne Hoffman Technology 0 Comments

Drone swarm technology is increasingly vital for emergency communication networks, particularly in disaster scenarios where traditional infrastructure may be damaged or unavailable. Especially the war in Ukraine has demonstrated that drone swarms, while not fully autonomous, are highly effective for establishing resilient, scalable, and adaptive communication networks in contested environments.

Below, I outlined how drone swarms work, how they are used, and what their potential applications are in emergency communication networks. I also took a close look at how Ukraine continues to lead the technology advancement race.

How Drone Swarm Technology is Used in Emergency Communication Networks

Drone swarm technology has emerged as a real transformative tool for establishing resilient and adaptive communication networks in emergency situations, where traditional infrastructure is often compromised or inaccessible. By leveraging coordinated groups of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), these systems enable rapid deployment of temporary networks, real-time data transmission, and dynamic adaptation to challenging environments.

In scenarios such as natural disasters, search and rescue missions, or conflict zones, drone swarms provide critical connectivity, supporting responders and survivors alike.

Let’s have look into detail what a drone swarm can mean for emergency communication networks.

1. Establishing Temporary Communication Networks:
   • Ad Hoc Networks: Drone swarms can form wireless mesh networks, where each drone acts as a node to relay data, creating a decentralized communication system. This is critical in areas where cellular or internet infrastructure is compromised, such as after earthquakes or floods. Drones use technologies like Wi-Fi, RF, or cellular (4G/5G) to establish these networks, enabling communication between responders and survivors. In war-struck areas, you will see fiber optic drones, which can withstand communication interference.
   • Relay Systems: Drones can extend communication range by acting as relays, overcoming line-of-sight limitations or signal attenuation in remote areas. For example, multi-hop communication allows drones to pass data across long distances, ensuring connectivity in rural or challenging terrains.
2. Real-Time Data Transmission:
   • Drones equipped with high-speed communication technologies like 5G or millimeter-wave (mmWave) systems enable real-time data exchange. This allows emergency responders to receive live imagery, telemetry data (e.g., GNSS coordinates, drone speed), or vital signs from disaster sites, improving situational awareness.
   • The AERIAL project (VTT and NYU Tandon) developed a mmWave-based system for drones to interact with ground units, aiding paramedics and firefighters by providing real-time traffic analysis or aerial views of disaster sites.
3. Dynamic Adaptation to Environments:
   • Swarms use algorithms (e.g., swarm optimization or AI-based routing) to dynamically adapt to changing conditions, such as network disruptions or environmental obstacles. A central drone may scan a disaster area, while others establish communication links to share resources, ensuring rapid response in dynamic settings.
   • Clustering architectures, where a master drone coordinates with slave drones, reduce communication overhead and enhance coverage, making swarms resilient to node failures.
4. Integration with Ground Systems:
   • Drones can communicate with ground vehicles, robots, or human responders, relaying data to guide operations. For instance, a drone might provide data to an ambulance to avoid traffic congestion, shaving critical minutes off response times.
   • LoRaWAN-based systems enable drones to transmit data to ground networks, ensuring reliable communication even in low-bandwidth scenarios.
5. Autonomous Operation:
   • Swarms operate with minimal human intervention using networked control systems (NCS), combining computational and communication capabilities. Drones process data locally (edge computing) and share it via synchronized flooding or routing techniques, reducing dependency on ground control.
   • Blockchain technology is emerging to secure inter-drone communication, ensuring data integrity and preventing unauthorized access in autonomous swarms.

Potential Applications in Emergency Communication Networks

As we explained above, drone swarm technology offers a versatile and innovative approach to addressing the communication challenges inherent in emergency scenarios. There we need rapid, reliable, and scalable connectivity.

Le’s now have a look at the potential applications of drone swarms in emergency communication networks. Key is that they can enhance situational awareness, streamline coordination, and deliver life-saving solutions in crises.

1. Disaster Response and Coordination:
   • Drone swarms can provide a rapid overview of disaster areas, transmitting real-time imagery to assess damage, identify hazards (e.g., gas leaks, fires), or locate survivors. This is critical for hurricanes, earthquakes, or wildfires, where ground access may be limited.
   • Swarms can deliver medical supplies or establish communication hubs in areas cut off by floods, coordinating with responders to prioritize rescue efforts.
2. Search and Rescue (SAR):
   • Swarms equipped with sensors (e.g., thermal cameras, infrared) and AI algorithms can cover large areas to locate missing persons. They share data to optimize search patterns, improving efficiency over single-drone operations.
   • AI-guided swarms at the Indian Institute of Science autonomously detect and extinguish forest fires while searching for survivors, using GPS and thermal imaging.
3. Emergency Medical Support:
   • Drones with AI and cameras can perform non-contact injury assessments, analyzing vital signs or wounds remotely to guide triage. This data is transmitted to responders for faster decision-making.
   • Drones can deliver telemedicine platforms or medical supplies to remote areas, supporting responders in real time.
4. Wildfire Management:
   • Swarms can track wildfire spread, relay data to firefighters, and deliver firefighting agents with minimal human intervention. Their ability to cover large areas and operate in hazardous conditions makes them ideal for such scenarios.
5. Urban Safety and Traffic Management:
   • In urban emergencies, swarms can monitor traffic, detect accidents, and guide emergency vehicles, reducing response times. For instance, drones could fly ahead of ambulances to provide real-time traffic data, saving 1–10 minutes in critical situations.

Challenges and Limitations of Drone Swarms

New technologies never come without new challenges of course. Below we list some of the problems that have arisen in using drone swarm technology.

• Communication Reliability: Signal attenuation, latency (e.g., 166 μs to seconds at long ranges), and environmental interference (e.g., urban or electromagnetic) can disrupt swarm communication. Hybrid FSO-RF systems and adaptive protocols are being developed to address this.
• Energy Constraints: Drones have limited battery life, impacting long-duration missions. Energy-efficient components and lightweight materials are critical for sustained operations.
• Scalability and Coordination: Tracking multiple drones in dynamic environments remains challenging, especially in adverse weather (e.g., hurricanes). Advanced algorithms like Particle Swarm Optimization are being explored to improve coordination.
• Security: Swarms are vulnerable to cyber hijacking or electronic warfare. Blockchain and secure protocols are emerging solutions, but regulatory frameworks lag behind technological advancements.
• Regulatory Barriers: Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) operations require special permissions, and regulations for swarm technology are still evolving, particularly for urban air mobility.

Future Trends of Drone Swarms

• 5G and 6G Integration: These technologies promise lower latency and higher data rates, enhancing swarm coordination and real-time applications.
• AI and Machine Learning: Improved AI/ML models will enable swarms to make autonomous decisions, enhancing adaptability in complex disaster scenarios.
• Edge Computing: On-device processing reduces reliance on ground stations, improving response times and resilience in low-connectivity areas.
• Regulatory Evolution: Future regulations will likely address swarm operations and urban air mobility, ensuring safe integration into airspace.

The War in Ukraine Pushes Drone Swarm Development Faster and Further

Independent of political alignment, the war in Ukraine has provided critical insights into the use of drone swarm technology for emergency communication networks, particularly in high-intensity conflict environments. While drone swarms have not been fully autonomous in the conflict, their tactical applications, rapid innovation cycles, and integration with communication systems offer valuable lessons for emergency scenarios.

Below, I summarize some of the key lessons that have been learned already, drawing on the conflict’s impact on drone technology and its implications for emergency communication networks.

1. Rapid Deployment of Ad Hoc Communication Networks:
   • Drones, particularly small, commercial, and First-Person View (FPV) models, have been used to create temporary communication networks in contested environments where traditional infrastructure is disrupted or jammed. For example, Ukrainian forces have leveraged Starlink satellite systems and mobile networks (4G/LTE) to maintain drone connectivity, enabling real-time data relay for reconnaissance and coordination.
   • In disasters, drone swarms can quickly establish mesh networks or act as signal repeaters to restore connectivity in areas with damaged infrastructure, such as after natural disasters. Ukrainian signal repeater drones, which extend FPV drone and interpersonal communication ranges, demonstrate this capability.
   • Ukraine’s use of commercial drones like DJI Mavics for real-time video feeds shows how off-the-shelf systems can be repurposed for emergency communication, offering a cost-effective solution for rapid deployment in crises.
2. Protection Against Electronic Warfare (EW):
   • The conflict showed the vulnerability of drone communications to jamming and spoofing, prompting innovations like neural-network-driven optical navigation and fiber-optic drones to bypass EW interference. For instance, KrattWorks’ Ghost Dragon drones use machine vision to navigate autonomously when radio or GNSS links are jammed, ensuring operational continuity.
   • Drones in emergency networks must incorporate anti-jamming technologies, such as AI-driven navigation or alternative communication pathways (e.g., mesh networks, satellite links). This ensures reliable data transmission in environments with active interference, such as urban disasters or conflict zones.
   • Ukraine’s development of drones with machine vision, capable of locking onto targets without operator communication, shows how autonomous systems can maintain functionality in disrupted environments, a critical feature for emergency response in hostile or chaotic settings.
3. Integration with Broader Systems for Situational Awareness:
   • Drones in Ukraine have been integrated into reconnaissance-strike complexes, combining real-time data from drones with artillery or command systems via platforms like Kropyva. This enables rapid sharing of battlefield intelligence, such as enemy positions, across units.
   • Drone swarms can enhance situational awareness in emergencies by relaying real-time data (e.g., imagery, sensor readings) to responders. This is particularly useful for coordinating rescue operations or assessing damage in disasters like earthquakes or wildfires, where drones can map affected areas and share data via networked systems.
   • Ukraine’s use of drones for surveillance and mapping, combined with software for real-time data integration, suggests that emergency networks could use similar setups to provide responders with live feeds of disaster zones, improving decision-making.
4. Scalability and Cost-Effectiveness of Commercial Drones:
   • The widespread use of low-cost, commercial drones (e.g., DJI Mavics) in Ukraine has demonstrated their scalability and adaptability for communication roles. Both sides have rapidly adopted and modified these systems, with Ukraine aiming to produce millions of drones annually.
   • Commercial drones can be quickly deployed in large numbers for emergency networks, offering a cost-effective alternative to traditional infrastructure. Their accessibility allows rapid scaling in crisis situations, such as providing connectivity in remote or disaster-stricken areas.
   • Ukraine’s reliance on civilian contributions and private-sector partnerships to produce and deploy drones shows the potential for communities and organizations to support emergency communication efforts using readily available technology.
5. Human-in-the-Loop Operations Over Full Autonomy:
   • Contrary to expectations of fully autonomous drone swarms, Ukraine’s drones operate in “stacks” with human operators coordinating via virtual battle networks or commercial platforms (e.g., text chats, cell phones). True swarm autonomy, where drones independently coordinate, remains underdeveloped due to technical and ethical challenges.
   • For now, emergency communication networks using drone swarms should prioritize human-in-the-loop systems to ensure reliability and ethical oversight. Operators can manage drone coordination and data relay, adapting to dynamic disaster environments where full autonomy is not yet practical.
   • Ukrainian drone operators using virtual networks to coordinate multiple drones suggest that emergency responders could use similar interfaces to manage swarms for communication tasks, balancing autonomy with human control.
6. Rapid Innovation and Adaptation:
   • The war has driven a fast-paced cycle of innovation, with both sides quickly adapting drone technologies to counter each other’s tactics. For instance, Ukraine developed AI-enabled drones to counter Russian jamming, while Russia scaled up fiber-optic drones to maintain connectivity.
   • Implication for Emergency Communications: Emergency systems must adopt a similar iterative approach, continuously updating drone software and hardware to address evolving challenges, such as environmental interference or equipment failures in disaster scenarios.
   • Ukraine’s Operation Spiderweb, using 117 FPV drones for coordinated strikes, shows how rapid innovation and deployment can achieve strategic goals, a model for quickly adapting drone swarms to restore communications in emergencies.
7. Counter-Drone Challenges and Network Vulnerabilities:
   • The proliferation of counter-drone systems, such as jammers and kinetic interceptors, has limited drone effectiveness in Ukraine, necessitating resilient communication architectures like mesh networks and distributed control systems.
   • Emergency networks must anticipate disruptions from environmental factors or deliberate interference (e.g., in conflict zones). Redundant communication pathways, such as satellite or relay systems, are essential to maintain network integrity.
   • Ukraine’s use of Starlink to maintain drone connectivity despite Russian cyberattacks shows the importance of integrating commercial satellite systems into emergency networks for resilience.

Specific Applications in Ukraine Relevant to Emergency Communications

The war has clearly been a real-life speed course in how to develop resilient emergency communications networks. Below are some of the most important applications using drone swarm technology.

• Signal Repeater Drones: Ukrainian communication specialists have deployed drones to extend the range of FPV drones and interpersonal systems, overcoming line-of-sight limitations. This is directly applicable to disaster scenarios where drones can relay signals to isolated areas.
• Operation Spiderweb: Ukraine’s use of 117 FPV drones in a coordinated strike via mobile networks (4G/LTE) demonstrates the potential for swarms to operate over vast distances, a capability that could be adapted to provide wide-area communication coverage in emergencies.
• AI and Machine Vision: Ukraine’s development of drones with machine vision to counter EW interference highlights the potential for autonomous drones to maintain communication links in disrupted environments, such as disaster zones with debris or interference.
• Naval Drone Swarms: The MAGURA V5 maritime drones, operating in “packs of swarms” to overwhelm targets, suggest that coordinated drone groups could be used to establish robust communication networks across large or inaccessible areas, such as coastal disaster zones.

When it comes to energy constraints, the global industry is actively involved in finding better solutions.

• Solid-State and Li-S Batteries: Expected to enter commercial use within 5–10 years, these could double or triple drone flight times, revolutionizing emergency communication networks.
• AI-Driven Optimization: Advances in machine learning will enable smarter energy allocation, extending operational times in dynamic disaster environments.
• Scalable Energy Harvesting: Solar and wireless charging systems will become more compact and efficient, enabling continuous operation for communication drones.
• Standardized Infrastructure: Automated charging and battery-swapping stations, inspired by Ukraine’s rapid drone deployment, will become integral to emergency response frameworks.

Nevertheless, there are still issues to tackle. For instance, the heavy use of jammers in Ukraine shows the need for emergency communication drones to incorporate anti-jamming technologies, such as optical navigation or fiber-optic links, to ensure reliability. While commercial drones are cost-effective, high attrition rates in Ukraine shows the need for sustainable production and supply chains to maintain emergency networks.

The use of AI-driven drones also raises ethical questions, as seen in Ukraine’s cautious approach to autonomy. Emergency systems must balance autonomy with human oversight to ensure safety and compliance with regulations.

Adverse weather and terrain in Ukraine have also limited drone effectiveness, suggesting that emergency communication drones must be designed for diverse conditions, such as storms or urban environments.

Future Implications for Emergency Communication Networks

The results from the use in war-time of drone swarm technology has already provided ample future implications and applications. Here are the 4 most important ones.

• Adopt Hybrid Systems: Ukraine’s reliance on hybrid communication systems (e.g., Starlink, mobile networks, mesh networks) suggests that emergency networks should integrate multiple pathways to ensure resilience.
• Invest in AI and Autonomy: While full autonomy is not yet achieved, Ukraine’s progress in AI-driven navigation and targeting indicates that future emergency drones could use similar technologies to operate in disrupted environments.
• Leverage Commercial Technology: The success of commercial drones in Ukraine highlights the potential for off-the-shelf systems to be adapted for emergency communications, reducing costs and deployment times.
• Prepare for Countermeasures: The rapid development of counter-drone systems in Ukraine emphasizes the need for emergency networks to include countermeasures, such as secure communication protocols or redundant systems, to maintain functionality.

Drone Swarm Technology Makes Resilient, Scalable, and Adaptive Communication Networks Possible

The war in Ukraine has demonstrated that drone swarm technology, while not fully autonomous, are highly effective for establishing resilient, scalable, and adaptive communication networks in contested environments. Lessons include the importance of rapid deployment, anti-jamming technologies, integration with broader systems, and leveraging commercial drones.

These findings are directly applicable to emergency communication networks, enabling rapid response in disasters by providing connectivity, situational awareness, and coordination. However, challenges like communication reliability, energy constraints, and security persist. Having said that, advancements in 5G, AI, and secure protocols are paving the way for broader adoption.