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CourseDefense, Military Engineering & Land Systems Applications open

Academic Regulation Course on UAV Swarms

Online 300-hour course in academic regulation of UAV swarms. 6 modules covering Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/947 (UAS operations), Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2019/945 (unmanned aircraft systems) and ArduPilot SITL. Dedicated tutor and open enrolment.

Duration300 h
ModeOnline
Start datesSet by the faculty
AwardSEIUM Institute certificate
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Learning outcomes

What you will be able to do

01

Explain the technological fundamentals of UAV swarms.

02

Interpret the European civil regulation applicable to operations with multiple aircraft.

03

Analyse the international debates on autonomy in military systems.

04

Assess international humanitarian law and weapons control mechanisms.

05

Apply ethical and governance frameworks to academic research.

06

Evaluate operational risks using the SORA methodology.

07

Prepare a regulatory analysis of a swarm use case.

Profile

Who it's for

  • UAS regulation analyst who wants to specialise in academic regulation of UAV swarms.
  • Researcher in the ethics of autonomous systems who wants to specialise in academic regulation of UAV swarms.
  • UAS operations technician who wants to specialise in academic regulation of UAV swarms.
  • Adviser on international humanitarian law who wants to specialise in academic regulation of UAV swarms.
  • U-space consultant who wants to specialise in academic regulation of UAV swarms.
  • Swarm robotics researcher who wants to specialise in academic regulation of UAV swarms.
  • Engineering or science graduates seeking to enter universities and research centres.
Standards & tools

What you'll work with

  • Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/947 (UAS operations)
  • Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2019/945 (unmanned aircraft systems)
  • Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2021/664 (U-space)
  • SORA methodology (JARUS)
  • Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons (debate on autonomous systems)
  • Additional Protocol I to the Geneva Conventions, Art. 36
  • Regulation (EU) 2024/1689 (Artificial Intelligence Act)
Syllabus

6 modules · 300 h

  1. 1.1Swarm intelligence and emergent behaviour
  2. 1.2Centralised and distributed architectures
  3. 1.3Consensus algorithms
  4. 1.4Mesh communications between drones
  5. 1.5Formation control
  6. 1.6Task allocation
  7. 1.7Autonomy and levels of supervision
  8. 1.8Drone light shows
  9. 1.9Civil applications: agriculture and search
  10. 1.10Workshop: simulating a swarm with Reynolds rules
  1. 2.1Operation of multiple UAS by a single pilot
  2. 2.2EASA specific category
  3. 2.3SORA applied to swarms
  4. 2.4Authorisations for shows
  5. 2.5U-space and traffic management
  6. 2.6FAA and Part 107 exemptions
  7. 2.7Insurance and civil liability
  8. 2.8Privacy and GDPR
  9. 2.9Radio spectrum
  10. 2.10Case study: authorising a 500-drone show
  1. 3.1Known programmes and state of the art
  2. 3.2Doctrine and concepts of employment
  3. 3.3Use of drones in the war in Ukraine
  4. 3.4Counter-swarm defence
  5. 3.5Command and control of autonomous systems
  6. 3.6NATO interoperability
  7. 3.7European research programmes
  8. 3.8Strategic implications
  9. 3.9Proliferation to non-state actors
  10. 3.10Case study: analysis of a mass drone attack
  1. 4.1Applicable international humanitarian law
  2. 4.2Distinction and proportionality with swarms
  3. 4.3Article 36 weapons review
  4. 4.4CCW debate on LAWS
  5. 4.5Swarms as possible weapons of mass destruction
  6. 4.6Meaningful human control
  7. 4.7Missile Technology Control Regime
  8. 4.8Wassenaar Arrangement
  9. 4.9Proposals for binding instruments
  10. 4.10Workshop: legal review of a swarm system
  1. 5.1Research ethics in autonomy
  2. 5.2Dual-use research in universities
  3. 5.3Ethics committees and defence funding
  4. 5.4Responsible publication of algorithms
  5. 5.5NATO principles for responsible AI
  6. 5.6Civil society positions
  7. 5.7Responsibility and chain of command
  8. 5.8Future scenarios
  9. 5.9Public policy recommendations
  10. 5.10Case study: a university ethics committee ruling
  1. 6.1Selection of the swarm case
  2. 6.2Technical description of the system
  3. 6.3Applicable civil framework
  4. 6.4Applicable international framework
  5. 6.5Analysis of regulatory gaps
  6. 6.6Ethical risks
  7. 6.7Regulatory proposal
  8. 6.8Conclusions
  9. 6.9Report and presentation
  10. 6.10Final review with the tutor
Methodology, software & labs

How you'll learn

100% online training on the SEIUM campus, with downloadable material, recorded classes and an assigned technical tutor. There are no fixed timetables: students progress at their own pace within the intake, which makes it possible to combine the course with work.

Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is ArduPilot SITL, Gazebo, ROS 2, QGIS, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Tests are studied using real swarm coordination simulation procedures, SORA operational risk analysis and regulatory case studies. Assessment is continuous by module, plus a final integrative project.

Accreditable laboratories(EN ISO/IEC 17025) with a rotor test rig, EMC/lightning pre-compliance, HIL/SIL, vibration/acoustics.
Evidence-oriented master's thesis:safety case, test plan, compliance dossier and operational limits.
Industry mentoring:lecturers with experience in training, , eVTOL/UAM and flight test.
Flexible format(hybrid/online), international cohorts and support from SEIUM Career Services.
Ethics and safety:a safety-by-design approach, with cyber-OT, IHL and compliance as its pillars.
Capstone project

Build it end to end

Your final project follows the real engineering workflow, step by step, reviewed by your tutor.

Selection of the swarm case

Explain the technological fundamentals of UAV swarms.

Technical description of the system

Interpret the European civil regulation applicable to operations with multiple aircraft.

Applicable civil framework

Analyse the international debates on autonomy in military systems.

Applicable international framework

Assess international humanitarian law and weapons control mechanisms.

Analysis of regulatory gaps

Apply ethical and governance frameworks to academic research.

Career opportunities

Where this takes you

UAS regulation analystResearcher in the ethics of autonomous systemsUAS operations technicianAdviser on international humanitarian lawU-space consultantSwarm robotics researcher
Admissions & scholarships

Requirements

  • No prior degree is required.
  • Internet connection and a computer capable of running the programme’s software.
  • Sufficient command of Spanish to follow technical regulatory texts.

Ready to start?

Send your application today. Our admissions team replies within 72 hours with your study plan and funding options.

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FAQ

Frequently asked questions

The programme totals 300 hours, spread over 3 to 5 months. That is an average of 10 to 15 hours per week, compatible with a full-time job.

The course uses ArduPilot SITL, Gazebo, ROS 2 and QGIS. Free, academic or evaluation versions are used, and the tutor indicates the free alternative where one exists.

An own diploma from SEIUM on passing the continuous assessment and the integrative project. It is in-house training, not an official qualification from the Ministry.

Yes. Modules passed in a course or postgraduate diploma in the same area can be credited towards the advanced programme. Please consult the credit recognition policy when you enrol.

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