Research and Exploration of Cyberattack Methods by UAV Swarms

CHEN Jiangwei; GAO Zhigang; GUO Lin; ZHANG Long; ZHANG Shubin

doi:10.7643/issn.1672-9242.2026.08.014

PDF(2391 KB)

Equipment Environmental Engineering ›› 2026, Vol. 23 ›› Issue (8) : 117-125. DOI: 10.7643/issn.1672-9242.2026.08.014

Aviation and Aerospace Equipment

Research and Exploration of Cyberattack Methods by UAV Swarms

CHEN Jiangwei, GAO Zhigang^*, GUO Lin, ZHANG Long, ZHANG Shubin

Author information +

History +

Abstract

The work aims to propose a cyber-enabled countermeasure framework and validate its effectiveness through experimental design and testing to effectively counter threats posed by UAV swarms, so as to address vulnerabilities across critical attack surfaces of UAV swarms, including the supply chain, communication protocols, dynamic network topology, and human operations. A five-layer cyberattack framework covering the physical, data link, network, system, and application layers was developed. Several cyberattack techniques against UAV swarms were designed and experimentally validated, including a rogue ground control station (GCS)-based command override exploiting vulnerabilities in the MAVLink protocol, RF replay attack, and malicious code injection into firmware. In a simulated penetration mission involving eight UAVs, five target UAVs exhibited abnormal trajectory deviations due to command hijacking or firmware compromise, achieving an effective swarm countermeasure success rate of 62.5%. The experimental results validate the technical feasibility of employing multi-layer cyberattacks to counter UAV swarms. The proposed approach offers advantages of low cost and remote execution capability, providing a novel technical solution for UAV swarm defense and countermeasure operations with considerable military application potential.

Key words

UAV swarms / cyber threats / cyberattacks / vulnerability exploitation / counter-swarm / experimental design

Cite this article

EndNote

Ris (Procite)

Bibtex

Download Citations

CHEN Jiangwei, GAO Zhigang, GUO Lin, ZHANG Long, ZHANG Shubin. Research and Exploration of Cyberattack Methods by UAV Swarms[J]. Equipment Environmental Engineering. 2026, 23(8): 117-125 https://doi.org/10.7643/issn.1672-9242.2026.08.014

References

[1] 贾旭峰, 茹乐, 乐波, 等. 无人机集群网络中一种基于链路质量预测的按需路由算法[J]. 空军工程大学学报(自然科学版), 2017(5): 48-54.
JIA X F, RU (L /Y), LE B, et al. A Link Quality Prediction Based On-Demand Routing Algorithm for UAVs Swarm Network[J]. Journal of Air Force Engineering University (Natural Science Edition), 2017(5): 48-54.
[2] OTTO A, AGATZ N, CAMPBELL J, et al.Optimization Approaches for Civil Applications of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) or Aerial Drones: A Survey[J]. Networks, 2018, 72(4): 411-458.
[3] 胡利平, 张振兴, 许磊, 等. “以群制群”反无人机集群作战研究动态与展望[J]. 国防科技, 2025, 46(5): 30-38.
HU L P, ZHANG Z X, XU L, et al.“Swarm-Versus- Swarm” Counter-UAV Operations: International Research Trends and Future Prospects[J]. National Defense Science & Technology, 2025, 46(5): 30-38.
[4] 高志刚, 陈永超, 郭林, 等.基于响应曲面法的无人机集群突防作战编组优化[C]/ 2025第九届全国集群智能与协同控制大会论文集. 上海: 中国人民解放军95835部队, 2025.
GAO Z G, CHEN Y C, GUO L, et al.Optimization of Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Cluster Penetration Combat Formation Based on Response Surface Method[C]//9th National Conference on Clusters and Cooperative Control 2025. Shanghai: The 95835 Troop of the People's Liberation Army, 2025.
[5] 高树一, 林德福, 郑多, 等. 针对集群攻击的飞行器智能协同拦截策略[J]. 航空学报, 2023, 44(18): 276-291.
GAO S Y, LIN D F, ZHENG D, et al.Intelligent Cooperative Interception Strategy of Aircraft Against Cluster Attack[J]. Acta Aeronautica et Astronautica Sinica, 2023, 44(18): 276-291.
[6] 高志刚, 丁枫, 刘致良, 等. 无人机蜂群对舰突击作战关键技术及应用探析[C]//第十届中国航空学会青年科技论坛论文集. 南昌: 中国人民解放军93196部队, 2022.
GAO Z G, DING F, LIU Z L, et al.Analysis of Key Technologies and Applications of Unmanned Aircraft Swarm for Ship Assault Operations[C]//Chinese Aeronautical Society. The 10th China Aeronautical Society Young Scientists' Forum Proceedings. Nanchang: The 93196 Troop of the People's Liberation Army of China; 20226.
[7] 马媛, 房林. 无人机通信安全需求与措施[J]. 网络安全技术与应用, 2026(1): 101-103.
MA Y, FANG L.UAV Communication Security Requirements and Measures[J]. Network Security Technology & Application, 2026(1): 101-103.
[8] 张鹏, 卓安生, 王志奕. 基于空地一体化网络的无人机集群协同控制算法研究[J]. 物联网技术, 2026, 16(2): 152-155.
ZHANG P, ZHUO A S, WANG Z Y.Research on Cooperative Control Algorithm of UAV Cluster Based on Air-Ground Integrated Network[J]. Internet of Things Technologies, 2026, 16(2): 152-155.
[9] 王月星, 周启扬, 李敏倩, 等. 无人机集群控制软件原型设计[J]. 航空学报, 2024, 45(20): 90-103.
WANG Y X, ZHOU Q Y, LI M Q, et al.Prototyping of UAV Swarm Control Software[J]. Acta Aeronautica et Astronautica Sinica, 2024, 45(20): 90-103.
[10] 代燕, 黄晶晶, 王宁, 等. 无人集群安全技术综述[J]. 电子科技大学学报, 2025, 54(4): 507-520.
DAI Y, HUANG J J, WANG N, et al.Secure Communication Technologies for UAV Swarm: A Survey[J]. Journal of University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, 2025, 54(4): 507-520.
[11] 乔冠华, 黄中华, 张胜, 等. 基于跨层优化的确定性无人集群网络协议研究[J]. 重庆理工大学学报(自然科学), 2026, 40(2): 210-217.
QIAO G H, HUANG Z H, ZHANG S, et al.Research on Cross-Layer Optimized Deterministic Networking Protocols for UAV Swarms[J]. Journal of Chongqing University of Technology (Natural Science), 2026, 40(2): 210-217.
[12] 姜家财, 吴昊, 朱宇, 等. 4G/5G无人机指挥控制链路传输威胁与防护[J]. 电讯技术, 2025, 65(9): 1428-1434.
JIANG J C, WU H, ZHU Y, et al.Threats and Countermeasures for Data Transmission in 4G/5G UAV Command and Control Links[J]. Telecommunication Engineering, 2025, 65(9): 1428-1434.
[13] COLTON Z, ORACEVIC A, DILEK S.Timestamp Manipulation-Based GPS Spoofing Attacks on the MAVLink 2.0 Protocol for UAV Communication: An Empirical Study[J]. IEEE Transactions on Communications, 2026, 74: 2564-2579.
[14] 孙傲, 杨枫, 吴文君, 等. 无人机自组织网络移动性管理仿真与性能评估[J]. 高技术通讯, 2024, 34(11): 1164-1177.
SUN A, YANG F, WU W J, et al.Simulation and Performance Evaluation of Mobility Management in UAV Self-Organizing Network[J]. Chinese High Technology Letters, 2024, 34(11): 1164-1177.
[15] 杜雪茹, 王迪, 曹越, 等. 无人机网络入侵检测与信任体系研究综述[J]. 武汉大学学报(理学版), 2023, 69(5): 665-676.
DU X R, WANG D, CAO Y, et al.A Survey on Intrusion Detection and Trust System in FANETs[J]. Journal of Wuhan University (Natural Science Edition), 2023, 69(5): 665-676.
[16] 章招铭, 伍益明, 郑宁, 等. 考虑网络容侵机制的无人机集群协同编队组网策略[J]. 控制理论与应用, 2025, 42(3): 499-510.
ZHANG Z M, WU Y M, ZHENG N, et al.Collaborative Formation Networking Strategy for UAVS Considering Network Attack Tolerance Mechanism[J]. Control Theory & Applications, 2025, 42(3): 499-510.
[17] 包富瑜, 杜文涛, 陈功. 无人机集群协同海上目标打击策略研究[J]. 兵器装备工程学报, 2025, 46(12): 84-93.
BAO F Y, DU W T, CHEN G.Research on Cooperative Maritime Targets Strike Strategies for UAV Swarm[J]. Journal of Ordnance Equipment Engineering, 2025, 46(12): 84-93.
[18] 杨文涛, 杨松林, 何茂恒. 无人机蜂群网络安全威胁与攻击路径分析[J]. 无线互联科技, 2025, 22(11): 116-119.
YANG W T, YANG S L, HE M H.Analysis of Cybersecurity Threats and Attack Paths for Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Swarms[J]. Wuxian Hulian Keji, 2025, 22(11): 116-119.
[19] 羊钊, 李娜, 毛亿, 等. 低空空域无人机运行安全保障技术研究综述[J]. 西华大学学报(自然科学版), 2024, 43(1): 41-47.
YANG Z, LI N, MAO Y, et al.A Review of Research on Safety Assurance Technology for UAV Operation in Low-Altitude Airspace[J]. Journal of Xihua University (Natural Science Edition), 2024, 43(1): 41-47.
[20] JANG J, CHO M, KIM J, et al.Paralyzing Drones via EMI Signal Injection on Sensory Communication Channels[C]//Proceedings 2023 Network and Distributed System Security Symposium. San Diego: Internet Society, 2023.
[21] 余润泽, 苏敏杰, 周烨挺, 等. 低空智慧城市无人机系统网络安全分析及防护策略研究[J]. 电信工程技术与标准化, 2025, 38(3): 61-67.
YU R Z, SU M J, ZHOU Y T, et al.Analysis of Network Security and Research on Protection Strategies for Low Altitude Smart City Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Systems[J]. Telecom Engineering Technics and Standardization, 2025, 38(3): 61-67.
[22] 蒋杰. 网络攻击下无人集群系统一致性研究[D]. 杭州: 杭州电子科技大学, 2025.
JIANG J.Research on Consistency of Unmanned Swarm Systems under Network Attacks[D]. Hangzhou: Hangzhou Dianzi University, 2025.
[23] ALSUMAYT A, NAGY N, ALSHARYOFI S, et al.Cutting-Edge DoS Attack Detection in Drone Networks: Leveraging Machine Learning for Robust Security[J]. Sci, 2026, 8(1): 20.
[24] GONG X, GUI J, CHEN Y, et al.Resilient Human-in- the-Loop Formation-Tracking of Multi-UAV Systems Against Byzantine Attacks[J]. IEEE Transactions on Automation Science and Engineering, 2025, 22: 3797-3809.
[25] 陶冠时, 吴立金, 晏裕生, 等. 舰船装备网络安全试验与评估技术研究[J]. 船舶标准化与质量, 2024(2): 38-44.
TAO G S, WU L J, YAN Y S, et al.Research on Network Security Testing and Evaluation Technology for Warship Equipment[J]. Shipbuilding Standardization & Quality, 2024(2): 38-44.
[26] MORSHEDI R, MOJTABA MATINKHAH S.Cybersecurity Challenges and Solutions in Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs)[J]. Journal of Field Robotics, 2026, 43(1): 314-329.
[27] A Survey of Security Challenges and Solutions for UAS Traffic Management (UTM) andSmall Unmanned Aerial Systems (sUAS)[C]//In AIAA SciTech Forum 2026. Virginia: AIAA, 2026.