Abstract
The use of microdrone technology and its collective abilities remains in relative infancy, and the
current employ of microdrones is limited to a reasonably small number of visual surveillance and
experimental uses. However, the unharnessed “swarm” potential of microdrones, particularly
when used in “flocks” of multiple units in conjunction with open data intelligence provides a
surfeit of opportunity, efficiency, and efficacy in observing and surveilling densely populated and
built urban areas. While the U.S. Military and intelligence communities have, for years, used
unmanned aerial vehicles (drones) of various sizes and capacities, these microdrones are
smaller, stealthier, more precise, and more persistent than their larger counterparts. The efficacy
of larger-scale drones and satellites in comparison is limited, especially in dense urban
environments. This paper explores the basic feasibility and potential of using artificially
intelligent microdrone “swarms” in dense urban environments as a means of intelligence
gathering and dynamic surveillance.