Big Drones Can Swarm Too: US Firm Pushes Unified Control System for Large UAVs

The era of swarming is expanding to larger drones, as a California-based firm lands funding to develop a unified control system for oversized unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).

Having secured $59 million in investments from partners, Swarm Aero will lay the foundation of a large-drone fleet operating under a single command-and-control (C2) software called Legion.

The goal is to field coordinated formations of oversized UAVs for major missions, managing them with what the company describes as “superhuman dexterity” while reducing overall operational costs.

Unlike conventional remotely piloted systems that typically require multiple operators per aircraft, Swarm Aero said its C2 architecture enables a single operator to control dozens of unmanned platforms during complex missions.

“Swarm is redefining American air power through mass produced aircraft and coordinated air capabilities aligned with the US military’s shift toward deterrence through scale and adaptability,” said Colin Beirne, an official from a partner company.

“It is a mission grounded in protecting the nation and the people who defend it, and from our first meeting we believed that no other team had the technical depth, government experience, and mission focus required to take this on.”

The Bigger, the Better?

Swarm Aero is positioning larger UAVs as swarm-capable platforms, challenging the assumption that swarming is limited to smaller drone systems.

The company argued that small drones often face range constraints and higher manpower demands, problems that can be addressed by larger UAVs.

In addition, it said bigger platforms can also deliver asymmetric advantages, offering longer reach and the ability to engage high-value targets at comparatively lower costs.

Its Legion swarm architecture is designed to integrate with these oversized UAVs, which combine sensing and strike capabilities to provide a flexible offensive option for military users.