UAVs as communications relays

StrategyPage: UAVs As Communications Relays

An American Bat UAV was recently fitted with communications relay equipment (so that its ground units, especially those operating in mountainous terrain) could get much more range out of their radios (whose signals are often blocked by mountains). These tests with the communications relay gear were a success, and were performed for an "unnamed government customer" (most likely SOCOM or CIA, although the army and marines are also potential users).

Consider the tactical advantage when the US military begins to engage swarms of UAVs for various tasks on the battlefield.