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Building Trust in Autonomous Aerial Systems: A Review of Hardware-Rooted Trust Mechanisms

Author

Listed:
  • Sagir Muhammad Ahmad

    (Faculty of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Cranfield University, Cranfield MK43 0AL, UK)

  • Mohammad Samie

    (Faculty of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Cranfield University, Cranfield MK43 0AL, UK)

  • Barmak Honarvar Shakibaei Asli

    (Faculty of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Cranfield University, Cranfield MK43 0AL, UK)

Abstract

Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) are redefining both civilian and defense operations, with swarm-based architectures unlocking unprecedented scalability and autonomy. However, these advancements introduce critical security challenges, particularly in location verification and authentication. This review provides a comprehensive synthesis of hardware security primitives (HSPs)—including Physical Unclonable Functions (PUFs), Trusted Platform Modules (TPMs), and blockchain-integrated frameworks—as foundational enablers of trust in UAV ecosystems. We systematically analyze communication architectures, cybersecurity vulnerabilities, and deployment constraints, followed by a comparative evaluation of HSP-based techniques in terms of energy efficiency, scalability, and operational resilience. The review further identifies unresolved research gaps and highlights transformative trends such as AI-augmented environmental PUFs, post-quantum secure primitives, and RISC-V-based secure control systems. By bridging current limitations with emerging innovations, this work underscores the pivotal role of hardware-rooted security in shaping the next generation of autonomous aerial networks.

Suggested Citation

  • Sagir Muhammad Ahmad & Mohammad Samie & Barmak Honarvar Shakibaei Asli, 2025. "Building Trust in Autonomous Aerial Systems: A Review of Hardware-Rooted Trust Mechanisms," Future Internet, MDPI, vol. 17(10), pages 1-45, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jftint:v:17:y:2025:i:10:p:466-:d:1768073
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    References listed on IDEAS

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