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DARPA-Level Breakthrough: Hong Kong–Australian Team Pushes Bio-Inspired Drone Interception Beyond Raytheon and Anduril Benchmarks

DARPA-Level Breakthrough: Hong Kong–Australian Team Pushes Bio-Inspired Drone Interception Beyond Raytheon and Anduril Benchmarks


Published on August 14, 2025

A groundbreaking international research collaboration between Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) and University of Technology Sydney (UTS) has developed a revolutionary bio-inspired interception system that dramatically improves autonomous defense capabilities against unmanned aerial vehicle threats.

The research, led by Kriuk Boris from HKUST’s Department of Computer and Electronic Engineering and Kriuk Fedor from UTS’s Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology, introduces the “Shepherd Grid Strategy” – a multi-phase coordination framework that achieves near-perfect interception success rates of over 95%, compared to traditional approaches that typically achieve only 65% effectiveness.

Addressing Critical Defense Challenges

Modern unmanned aerial vehicle threats pose unprecedented security challenges across military, civilian, and critical infrastructure domains. Traditional interception methods—such as single-interceptor models seen in Raytheon’s Coyote or Anduril’s Anvil—rely on centralized command structures and predictable pursuit paths, which can be exploited by sophisticated evasion maneuvers.

“Current defense systems face the dual challenge of maintaining high interception success rates while operating under strict resource constraints and time-critical decision-making requirements,” explained Boris Kriuk. “Our bio-inspired approach fundamentally changes how autonomous systems coordinate to eliminate these vulnerabilities.”

Revolutionary Bio-Inspired Technology

The Shepherd Grid Strategy draws inspiration from wolf-pack hunting behaviors observed in nature, implementing a four-phase operational model consisting of chase, follow, formation, and engagement phases. The system employs dynamic role assignment where interceptor units function as specialized “active interceptors” and formation-maintaining “shepherds,” creating a hierarchical structure that maximizes interception probability through coordinated positioning.

“The strategy creates a mobile containment grid that adapts to target movement patterns while maintaining multiple engagement vectors,” noted Fedor Kriuk. “This eliminates escape opportunities through comprehensive geometric control — even under conditions that cause other systems to fail.”

Exceptional Performance Results

In comparative simulations, Shepherd Grid consistently outperformed conventional pursuit algorithms used across the industry:

  • Median interception time: 45 seconds, 85 seconds for traditional methods
  • Performance under jamming: Maintains effectiveness with up to 60% packet loss
  • Scalability: Sustains ~75% success with 8–12 simultaneous targets, while traditional systems fall below 25% in similar conditions

This level of robustness in contested environments places Shepherd Grid ahead of many current defense solutions, including fixed-installation missile intercept systems such as the Israeli Iron Dome when considering mobility, cost-efficiency, and reusability.

Real-World Applications and Impact

The research addresses critical needs in homeland security, critical infrastructure protection, and military defense systems, offering a reusable and mobile alternative to high-cost missile interceptors. Its resilience in GPS-denied and spectrum-contested environments positions it as a candidate for next-generation defense deployments where adaptability is essential.

About the Research Institutions

The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) is a leading international research university renowned for its scientific and technological innovation. The University of Technology Sydney (UTS) is recognized for excellence in engineering and information technology research, particularly in autonomous systems and robotics.

University of Technology Sydney (UTS) is a globally respected institution recognized for its innovation in engineering, robotics, and artificial intelligence. Its research in autonomous systems and applied defense technologies has earned it a place among the most forward-leaning universities in the world, with a track record of delivering field-ready solutions for complex security challenges.

Future Development

The research team is exploring applications beyond defense scenarios, including search and rescue operations, environmental monitoring, and autonomous logistics systems. The fundamental principles of the Shepherd Grid Strategy show potential for broad application in any domain requiring sophisticated multi-agent coordination.

Media Contact: 

Hong Kong University of Science and Technology Department of Computer and Electronic Engineering Email: bkriuk@connect.ust.hk

University of Technology Sydney

Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology Email: fedor.kriuk@student.uts.edu.au

About the Study:

The complete research findings are detailed in the paper “Shepherd Grid Strategy: Towards Reliable SWARM Interception,” published by the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology and the University of Technology Sydney research teams.

Newsdesk Staff