Swarm, autonomy and intelligence are the development directions of unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) systems in dynamic and uncertain environments and for complex tasks. The UAV swarm with stigmergy can perform complex intelligent behaviors without any centralized planning or direct communication. Starting with the connotation of UAV autonomy,this paper discusses the concept, characteristic, advantage and possible combat form of UAV autonomous swarm. Then the UAV autonomous swarm development tendency is analyzed from the following aspects:manned/unmanned aerial vehicle integration, morphing aircraft design, artificial intelligence and swarm conflict. The technology development necessity of UAV swarm against anti-UAV technology is also analyzed. Next, the possible application prospect of UAV is described from military fields and civilian fields. Finally,the development direction of UAV autonomous swarm is summarized in terms of strategic planning, research mode, system coordination, interdiscipline, defense applications and market cultivation.

unmanned aerial vehicle  /  autonomous cluster  /  stigmergy  /  artificial intelligence  /  manned/unmanned aerial vehicle integration