SwarmOS allows autonomous systems to collaborate, share information, and adapt to changing conditions in real time. Image: Palladyne AI

US Army Tests AI That Lets One Soldier Command a Drone Swarm

Jun 23, 2026 3:29 AMPublished Jun 23, 2026 3:29 AM

Palladyne AI demonstrated an AI-powered drone swarm during the US Army’s Ivy Mass exercise, showing how a single operator can oversee multiple autonomous aircraft.

Palladyne AI demonstrated an artificial intelligence-powered drone swarm during the US Army’s Ivy Mass exercise, showing how a single operator can oversee multiple autonomous aircraft while connected to the service’s Next-Generation Command and Control (NGC2) network.

The drill paired the company’s SwarmOS autonomy software with a mixed fleet of intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance drones and the Gremlin-X reusable mini-bomber, enabling them to coordinate and execute tasks autonomously in communications-contested environments without cloud connectivity.

The connection to NGC2 allowed live target tracks to be shared across the command network while AI handled much of the coordination.

Read the full story on Military AI: US Army Tests AI That Lets One Soldier Command a Drone Swarm