IGF::CT::IGF R&D LOW COST UAS SWARM TECHNOLOGY (LOCUST) DISTRIBUTED AUTONOMY PROTOTYPING, ANALYSIS, AND SUPPORT

The Department of the Navy is procuring prototyping, analysis, and support for distributed autonomy in the Low Cost UAS Swarm Technology (LOCUST) program from Georgia Tech Applied Research Corp under a $17.4 million contract. LOCUST develops systems for launching swarms of small, low-cost unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) that operate autonomously to overwhelm adversaries, with demonstrations from trucks and F/A-18 Hornets. This R&D effort supports naval innovative prototypes for intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance, and potential strike capabilities in contested environments.