# Autonomous Flying Armies The Boeing ScanEagles Are Revolutionary Decision-Making Drones By Omar Yusuf | Published 2011-09-18 | Autos Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/scaneagles References: [gizmodo](http://gizmodo.com/5833402/swarms-of-drones-will-kill-us-all-one-day) & [boeing.mediaroom](http://boeing.mediaroom.com/index.php?s=43&item=1886) By reverse-engineering the methods used by insect swarms to communicate and cooperate, the new [Boeing](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/wisk-aero-generation-6-evtol) ScanEagles can work together in order to recon, surveil or attack preselected targets -- without the assistance of humans. Imagine hundreds of [unmanned airplanes capable of making decisions](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/helsing-ca1-europa), designating opportune targets and eliminating them. With the possibility of mass-producing the inexpensive Boeing ScanEagles, it would be foolhardy to dismiss the idea of wars being waged remotely in their entirety. While project director Gabriel Santander exlcaims, "This is a milestone in [UAV](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/fixar-007) flight," I can't help but think of non-military implications. Could the familiar beat cop be replaced by thousands of patrolling Boeing ScanEagles? There's no telling what the world's biggest manufacturer could have in store -- regardless, it'll be shocking and exciting to say the least. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 1.5/10 - Popularity: 8% | Activity: 30% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 70% men, 30% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Autos](https://www.trendhunter.com/autos) ## Key Themes ### What Makes This Trend Stand Out - **Insect-inspired Swarm Technology:** Disruptive innovation opportunity: Applying insect swarm communication and cooperation methods to create autonomous drones that can work together without human assistance. - **Mass-produced Decision-making Drones:** Disruptive innovation opportunity: Mass production of inexpensive drones like Boeing ScanEagles opens up possibilities for remote warfare and autonomous surveillance missions. - **Replacement of Human Patrols:** Disruptive innovation opportunity: Exploring the potential of replacing traditional law enforcement patrols with autonomous drones like Boeing ScanEagles for enhanced surveillance and security. ### Sectors Adopting This - **Military Technology:** Disruptive innovation opportunity: Revolutionizing military operations with autonomous drones that can autonomously recon, surveil, and attack targets without human intervention. - **Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (uavs):** Disruptive innovation opportunity: Advancing the capabilities of UAVs by incorporating swarm technology and decision-making algorithms for improved missions and applications. - **Law Enforcement and Security:** Disruptive innovation opportunity: Integrating drone technology to enhance patrolling and surveillance capabilities, potentially replacing human patrols with autonomous drones for increased efficiency and coverage. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Missile-Firing Unmanned Drones](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/missilefiring-unmanned-drone.md) - [Multi-Mission Military Drones](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/vtol-drones.md) - [Hybrid-Powered Unmanned Helicopters](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/hybridpowered-unmanned-helicopter.md) - [Laser-Controlled Military Drones](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/lasercontrolled-military-drone.md) - [Crow-Shaped Drones](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/hooded-crow.md) - [Reduced Drag Aircrafts](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/crane-program.md) - [Multidirectional Miniature Robots](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/multidirectional-miniature-robots.md) - [Biomimicry Bird-Like Drones](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/bionic-bird-xfly.md) - [AI-Powered Autonomous Defense Aircrafts](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/helsing-ca1-europa.md)