This　paper　presents　a　new　multiple　unmanned　aerial　vehicle　swarm　controller　based　on　Metropolis　criterion.　This　paper　presents　the　design　of　a　controller,　utilizing　the　improved　Metropolis　criterion　pigeon-inspired　optimization　(IMCPIO)　and　proportional-integrational-derivative　(PID)　algorithms,　and　conducts　comparative　experiments.　Sim-ulation　outcomes　demonstrate　the　enhanced　performance　of　the　multi-unmanned　aerial　vehicle　formation　controller,　which　is　based　on　IMCPIO,　when　compared　to　the　basic　pigeon-inspired　optimization　(PIO)　algorithm　and　the　genetic　algorithm.　The　IMCPIO　algorithm　for　the　energy　difference　discrimination　makes　it　a　faster　convergence　and　more　stable　effective　optimization.　Hence,　the　controller　introduced　in　this　study　proves　to　be　both　practical　and　resilient.　©　The　Author(s)　2024.　Open　Access.