UPSC Prelims 2026 · Question 72 of 96

UPSC Prelims 2026 question on Drone Swarms

Which of the following statements with regard to drone swarms is/are correct?

1. They use Terahertz band of frequency to communicate with the command centre.

2. Individual drones in the swarm can communicate with other drones in the swarm.

3. GPS Spoofing is a commonly used technique to counter drone swarm attack.

Select the answer using the code given below:

  1. 1 only
  2. 2 and 3 only
  3. 1 and 2 only
  4. 1, 2 and 3
Show answer

Answer: B. 2 and 3 only

Verdict

Statements 2 and 3 are correct, so the answer is Option (b).

Analysis

Drone swarms generally operate using conventional communication frequencies such as UHF, VHF, Wi-Fi, and other radio frequency bands rather than the Terahertz band, which remains largely experimental and is not used in practical drone swarm operations. A major characteristic of drone swarms is the ability of individual drones to communicate with one another through inter-drone communication protocols, enabling coordinated and decentralized functioning. GPS spoofing is also recognized as an important counter-drone technique in which false GPS signals are transmitted to disrupt drone navigation.

Statement by statement

Statement 1 is incorrect: Drone swarms primarily rely on standard radio frequency bands such as UHF, VHF, and ISM bands for communication. Terahertz communication technology is still under development and has not been adopted for operational drone swarm systems.

Statement 2 is correct: Inter-drone communication is one of the key features of swarm technology, allowing drones to exchange information and coordinate their actions through decentralized decision-making.

Statement 3 is correct: GPS spoofing works by transmitting false GPS signals to mislead the navigation systems of drones, causing confusion in their movement or forcing them to divert from their intended path.

More questions on Defence Technology

All 14 questions on Defence Technology →

← Full 2026 question paper · All Science and Technology questions