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Modeling and vulnerability analysis of UAV swarm based on two-layer multi-edge complex network

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  • Yang, Yuheng
  • Guo, Xing
  • Hai, Xingshuo
  • Feng, Qiang
  • Sun, Bo
  • Wang, Zili

Abstract

Swarm systems of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) have emerged as a popular subject of research on the Internet of Things owing to their higher flexibility, efficiency, and reliability than single UAVs. However, little research has been devoted to investigating the vulnerability of UAV swarms, and the traditional network model cannot fully and synchronously characterize their communication-based and mission-based relationships. This study proposes a two-layer multi-edge complex network model to characterize the UAV swarm by considering its status of communication and collaboration for the given mission. The model contains a communication layer and a function layer. In addition, we consider the area of coverage of the UAV swarm, provide the definitions and methods of calculation of three factors influencing its performance, and use them to develop a method to assess its performance for the three typical missions of attack, reconnaissance, and jamming. Furthermore, we propose a framework for the vulnerability analysis of the UAV swarm that can analyze its process of failure and measure its vulnerability. Finally, we use a swarm consisting of 10 UAVs as a case to verify the effectiveness and accuracy of the proposed model.

Suggested Citation

  • Yang, Yuheng & Guo, Xing & Hai, Xingshuo & Feng, Qiang & Sun, Bo & Wang, Zili, 2025. "Modeling and vulnerability analysis of UAV swarm based on two-layer multi-edge complex network," Reliability Engineering and System Safety, Elsevier, vol. 256(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:reensy:v:256:y:2025:i:c:s0951832024008500
    DOI: 10.1016/j.ress.2024.110779
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Dui, Hongyan & Zhang, Aoji & Zhou, Yan & Tang, Chu, 2026. "IoT-based reliability analysis and maintenance strategy of unmanned equipment communication systems," Reliability Engineering and System Safety, Elsevier, vol. 266(PA).
    2. Dui, Hongyan & Zhang, Huanqi & Dong, Xinghui & Tang, Chu & Chen, Zhiwei, 2026. "A new spatiotemporal resilience optimization strategy for UAV swarm in data-physical-enabled low-altitude IoT networks," Reliability Engineering and System Safety, Elsevier, vol. 266(PB).
    3. Wang, Yong & Cui, Jiawei & Zhai, Changhai, 2026. "ADHGR: An optimized adaptive disintegration strategy targeting heterogeneous UAV swarms based on graph reinforcement learning," Reliability Engineering and System Safety, Elsevier, vol. 265(PA).

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