Editing Swarm behaviour (section)

==Military==
[[File:SWARM-vs-guerilla.png|thumb|300px|Contrast between guerrilla ambush and true swarming (Edwards-2003)]]
{{Main|Swarming (military)}}

[[Swarming (military)|Military swarming]] is a behaviour where autonomous or partially autonomous units of action attack an enemy from several different directions and then regroup. ''Pulsing'', where the units shift the point of attack, is also a part of military swarming. Military swarming involves the use of a decentralized force against an opponent, in a manner that emphasizes mobility, communication, unit autonomy and coordination or synchronization.<ref name=Edwards-2000>{{cite book
 |title=Swarming on the Battlefield: Past, Present, and Future
 |author= Edwards, Sean J.A.
 |year= 2000
 |isbn= 978-0-8330-2779-5
 |publisher= Rand Corporation
 |series=Rand Monograph MR-1100
 |url=https://www.rand.org/pubs/monograph_reports/MR1100
}}</ref> Historically military forces used principles of swarming without really examining them explicitly, but now active research consciously examines military doctrines that draw ideas from swarming.

Merely because multiple units converge on a target, they are not necessarily swarming. Siege operations do not involve swarming, because there is no manoeuvre; there is convergence but on the besieged fortification. Nor do [[guerrilla warfare|guerrilla ambushes]] constitute swarms, because they are "hit-and-run". Even though the ambush may have several points of attack on the enemy, the guerillas withdraw when they either have inflicted adequate damage, or when they are endangered.

In 2014 the U. S. [[Office of Naval Research]] released a video showing tests of a swarm of small autonomous drone attack boats that can steer and take coordinated offensive action as a group.<ref>[http://www.cnn.com/2014/10/06/tech/innovation/navy-swarm-boats/ U.S. Navy could 'swarm' foes with robot boats], ''CNN'', 13 October 2014.</ref>
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