Robot quadricopters can now be act cooperatively and fly in an aerobatic swarm (See eg this and this).
These developments open up the real possibility of today’s invention: a mobile, bullet-resistant shield for infantrymen.
Each member of a platoon would be assigned say five of these machines.
As he or she exited a helicopter or armored personnel carrier, their copters would take off from their locations on its surface and fly in front of the troops.
Each machine would carry a small shield, made of bullet resistant perspex. This would avoid obscuring the way ahead.
In the event of an attack, the copters would instantly react and cooperate so as to form the best possible defensive shield in front of the lead soldiers.
If any units were damaged, the others would compensate, giving time for a defensive response.
