Unmanned vehicles and autonomous systems - Final report 2022

Authors:

  • Jouni Rantakokko
  • Zackarias Alenljung
  • Anna Andersson
  • Jonatan Adolfsson
  • Johan Berneland
  • Erik Branzén
  • Ossian Eriksson
  • Henrik Felixson
  • Moamia Gideskog
  • Bertil Grelsson
  • Johan Hamberg
  • Johan Henningsson
  • Oskar Karlsson
  • Fredrik Kullander
  • Karl Lagerkvist Blomqvist
  • Jacob Landelius
  • Ellen Lindgren
  • Sally Longworth
  • Jonas Nygårds
  • Joakim Rydell
  • Tim Wiik
  • Martin Gelin
  • Peter Strömbäck
  • Martin Hagström

Publish date: 2025-08-21

Report number: FOI-R--5716--SE

Pages: 53

Written in: Swedish

Keywords:

  • unmanned
  • autonomous
  • UAV
  • UGV
  • USV
  • IHL
  • ethics
  • user interface
  • core autonomy
  • mission autonomy
  • free-space optical communications
  • positioning
  • navigation
  • fault detection
  • obstacle avoidance

Abstract

Unmanned systems has transformed the operational environment in Ukraine and they are indispensable in future military conflicts. This final report provides a detailed summary of the research that has been performed within the project Unmanned vehicles and autonomous systems - technology and operator during 2024, as well as a shorter summary of the research and results that have been obtained during the lifespan of the project (during 2021 to 2024). The research activities have centred around three research avenues: (i) critical enabling technologies such as autonomy and robust communication and positioning systems, (ii) methods for cooperation and teaming between operator and unmanned system, and (iii) legal and ethical aspects coupled to the use of armed unmanned systems. The generated knowledge has been utilized in different studies and projects performed by the Armed Forces and FMV, and supported the Armed Forces in their capability development within the area of unmanned systems. However, the theoretical depth of the research has not yet reached the desired level, which is an area that should be improved in the coming years.