Intelligent Optimization Algorithms for Multi-UAV Path Planning: A Comprehensive Review

This work was supported by the National Social Science Fund of China under Grant 2023-SKJJ-B-117, in part by the Natural Science Foundation of Shaanxi Province under Grant 2024JC-YBMS-529, in part by the Fund for technical areas of infrastructure strengthening plan projects under Grant 2023-JCJQ-JJ-...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Lixiang Zhai, Husheng Wu, Linghong Lai, Ziqian Gao
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: IEEE 2025-01-01
Series:IEEE Access
Subjects:
Online Access:https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/11028104/
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
_version_ 1850100908611862528
author Lixiang Zhai
Husheng Wu
Linghong Lai
Ziqian Gao
author_facet Lixiang Zhai
Husheng Wu
Linghong Lai
Ziqian Gao
author_sort Lixiang Zhai
collection DOAJ
description This work was supported by the National Social Science Fund of China under Grant 2023-SKJJ-B-117, in part by the Natural Science Foundation of Shaanxi Province under Grant 2024JC-YBMS-529, in part by the Fund for technical areas of infrastructure strengthening plan projects under Grant 2023-JCJQ-JJ-0772 and in part by the Equipment Comprehensive Research Project under Grant WJ2023B020400-4. The deployment of multi-UAV systems for frontline and complex combat missions has become a dominant trend in intelligent warfare. As operational airspace extends from medium-high to low and ultra-low altitudes, combined with global efforts to strengthen multi-layered air defense systems, the increasingly dense and complex battlefield environments impose rigorous demands on multi-UAV path planning. Serving as the cornerstone of collaborative mission coordination, path planning is critical for maximizing combat effectiveness through comprehensive analysis of adversarial and operational constraints. This paper synthesizes existing reviews and scientific literature to establish a systematic framework for multi-UAV path planning. We analyze current research progress through four key dimensions: 1) battlefield environment modeling, 2) constraint formulations and objective functions, 3) intelligent optimization algorithms, and 4) collaborative path optimization. Highlighting the Wolf Pack Algorithm’s (WPA) exceptional performance in resolving high-dimensional, multi-peak optimization challenges, we focus on its advancements and applications in multi-UAV path planning. Finally, we project future development directions aligned with the evolution of unmanned and intelligent warfare.
format Article
id doaj-art-b775d52641c94463917ee3452e2d9870
institution DOAJ
issn 2169-3536
language English
publishDate 2025-01-01
publisher IEEE
record_format Article
series IEEE Access
spelling doaj-art-b775d52641c94463917ee3452e2d98702025-08-20T02:40:10ZengIEEEIEEE Access2169-35362025-01-011310110610113010.1109/ACCESS.2025.357759811028104Intelligent Optimization Algorithms for Multi-UAV Path Planning: A Comprehensive ReviewLixiang Zhai0https://orcid.org/0009-0003-8527-486XHusheng Wu1https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0692-7467Linghong Lai2Ziqian Gao3Logistics Support Department, Armed Police Force Logistics University, Tianjin, ChinaCollege of Equipment Support and Management, Engineering University of PAP, Xi’an, ChinaLogistics Support Department, Armed Police Force Logistics University, Tianjin, ChinaLogistics Support Department, Armed Police Force Logistics University, Tianjin, ChinaThis work was supported by the National Social Science Fund of China under Grant 2023-SKJJ-B-117, in part by the Natural Science Foundation of Shaanxi Province under Grant 2024JC-YBMS-529, in part by the Fund for technical areas of infrastructure strengthening plan projects under Grant 2023-JCJQ-JJ-0772 and in part by the Equipment Comprehensive Research Project under Grant WJ2023B020400-4. The deployment of multi-UAV systems for frontline and complex combat missions has become a dominant trend in intelligent warfare. As operational airspace extends from medium-high to low and ultra-low altitudes, combined with global efforts to strengthen multi-layered air defense systems, the increasingly dense and complex battlefield environments impose rigorous demands on multi-UAV path planning. Serving as the cornerstone of collaborative mission coordination, path planning is critical for maximizing combat effectiveness through comprehensive analysis of adversarial and operational constraints. This paper synthesizes existing reviews and scientific literature to establish a systematic framework for multi-UAV path planning. We analyze current research progress through four key dimensions: 1) battlefield environment modeling, 2) constraint formulations and objective functions, 3) intelligent optimization algorithms, and 4) collaborative path optimization. Highlighting the Wolf Pack Algorithm’s (WPA) exceptional performance in resolving high-dimensional, multi-peak optimization challenges, we focus on its advancements and applications in multi-UAV path planning. Finally, we project future development directions aligned with the evolution of unmanned and intelligent warfare.https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/11028104/Multi-UAVpath planningintelligent optimization algorithmswolf pack algorithm
spellingShingle Lixiang Zhai
Husheng Wu
Linghong Lai
Ziqian Gao
Intelligent Optimization Algorithms for Multi-UAV Path Planning: A Comprehensive Review
IEEE Access
Multi-UAV
path planning
intelligent optimization algorithms
wolf pack algorithm
title Intelligent Optimization Algorithms for Multi-UAV Path Planning: A Comprehensive Review
title_full Intelligent Optimization Algorithms for Multi-UAV Path Planning: A Comprehensive Review
title_fullStr Intelligent Optimization Algorithms for Multi-UAV Path Planning: A Comprehensive Review
title_full_unstemmed Intelligent Optimization Algorithms for Multi-UAV Path Planning: A Comprehensive Review
title_short Intelligent Optimization Algorithms for Multi-UAV Path Planning: A Comprehensive Review
title_sort intelligent optimization algorithms for multi uav path planning a comprehensive review
topic Multi-UAV
path planning
intelligent optimization algorithms
wolf pack algorithm
url https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/11028104/
work_keys_str_mv AT lixiangzhai intelligentoptimizationalgorithmsformultiuavpathplanningacomprehensivereview
AT hushengwu intelligentoptimizationalgorithmsformultiuavpathplanningacomprehensivereview
AT linghonglai intelligentoptimizationalgorithmsformultiuavpathplanningacomprehensivereview
AT ziqiangao intelligentoptimizationalgorithmsformultiuavpathplanningacomprehensivereview