Understanding the Roots of Swarm Intelligence in Defence to Find the Path Forward: A Scientometric Study of Autonomous Systems

Swarm intelligence, inspired by the decentralised, adaptive and self-synchronising behaviours of natural swarms, is a pivotal component of autonomous systems, enhancing efficiency, robustness and scalability. The research in this area is nascent and interdisciplinary. To drive this important research forward, it is necessary to adopt a systems perspective on what is available in the current literature. This chapter offers a comprehensive systems perspective of the integration of swarm intelligence within the broader domain of automation, emphasising its application in the defence sector. A systems perspective of an interdisciplinary field is afforded through scientometrics. Using VOSviewer algorithms, we analysed 1706 publications from Scopus relating to swarms and automation, identifying five main research clusters: particle swarm optimisation and algorithms, autonomous robotics, stability and control of autonomous agents, communication and infrastructure and machine learning. The findings reveal the significant role of the Internet of Things (IoT) in enabling swarm intelligence, the foundational impact of autonomous technologies and the prevalence of unmanned aerial vehicles in military research. In addition, the study underscores the necessity for addressing ethical and legal implications, particularly in military contexts, to ensure sustainable and trustworthy deployment of these technologies. The holistic systems approach highlights the interconnectedness of swarm technologies across various disciplines and suggests directions for future research to address the complexity and ethical considerations. This research contributes to both the academic understanding and practical applications of swarm intelligence, advocating for interdisciplinary efforts and robust governance frameworks to harness the full potential of swarm thinking in defence and beyond.