UAV applications: Introduction

Abstract

UAV Applications offers a “taste” of possible civil and public domain applications in which single or multiple UAVs may be used. As the roadmap of the UAS integration into the global airspace is formulated amidst current obstacles and skepticism, it is only logical to consider that the spectrum of possible applications will be much wider in the years to come. At the present stage, UAVs have either been considered for or have seen (very) limited utilization in a wide range of applications that include but are not limited to power line inspection; pipeline inspection; ship inspection; mine inspection; dam inspection; anomaly detection/prevention; early fire detection and forest protection; hazard monitoring; traffic monitoring; environmental monitoring; search and rescue operations; emergency response; border patrol; harbor patrol; police surveillance; aerial photography; SWAT support; imaging and mapping; intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR); chemical spraying; crop dusting; night vision; and entertainment industry and filming.