List of unmanned aerial vehicle applications in various industries and fields

Unmanned aerial vehicles, or drones, are being used in a wide range of industries and fields. They're helping farmers monitor their crops more efficiently.

In the agriculture industry, drones are being used to detect crop stress, identify areas that need more water or nutrients, and even apply pesticides and fertilizers. This can lead to increased crop yields and reduced waste.

Drones equipped with thermal imaging cameras are also being used to detect heat signatures in crops, helping farmers identify potential problems before they become major issues.

Military forces around the world, including the US and ISIS, use UAVs for a range of tasks. The US military operates a significant number of UAVs, with over 7,000 RQ-11B Ravens and 126 MQ-9 Reapers in service as of January 2014.

The MQ-9 Reaper, for example, costs $12 million, while a manned F-22 costs over $120 million. This highlights the cost-effectiveness of UAVs for military operations. ISIS has also utilized drones for both reconnaissance and dropping bombs, with their "Unmanned Aircraft of the Mujahideen" unit announced in January 2017.

UAVs are also used as targets for military training, with the US military using over 80 F-4 Phantoms converted into UAVs since 1997.

Aerial surveillance of large areas is possible with low-cost UAS. This is especially useful for applications such as livestock monitoring, which is a common use for UAVs in commercial aerial surveillance.

The Applied Aeronautics Albatross UAV is an example of a system used for this purpose. It's expanding with the advent of automated object detection.

Surveillance applications also include wildfire mapping, pipeline security, home security, road patrol, and antipiracy. These uses take advantage of the ability of UAVs to cover large areas quickly and efficiently.

UAVs can provide real-time data, allowing for swift response to potential threats. This is especially valuable in applications such as antipiracy, where timely action can prevent losses.

Suggestion: Use of UAVs in Law Enforcement

The US armed forces have no defense against low-level UAV attack, but the Joint Integrated Air and Missile Defense Organization is working to repurpose existing systems.

The US military is not alone in this challenge, as Russia has established a ground-based unit to combat UAVs by jamming their controlling signals. This unit was reportedly used to defend against a swarm attack in Syria in early January 2018.

Curious to learn more? Check out: Drone Swarm Attack

Two German companies are developing 40-kW lasers to damage UAVs, which could potentially be used to repel low-level UAV attacks. These lasers are a promising development in the field of UAV defense.

The OpenWorks Engineering Skywall and the Battelle DroneDefender are also being used to defend against UAVs. These systems are designed to detect and neutralize UAVs in a variety of scenarios.

ALKA, a Turkish dual electromagnetic/laser weapon, was allegedly used to destroy a Wing Loong II UAV in a genuine wartime condition, marking the first known time a vehicle-mounted combat laser was used to destroy another combat vehicle.

Recommended read: Unmanned Aerial Vehicle

The US military has used F-4 Phantoms as aerial targets since 1997, with more than 80 converted into UAVs for combat training of human pilots.

These F-4s were later supplemented with F-16s in September 2013, providing more realistically maneuverable targets for pilots to practice against.

The F-4s were a suitable choice for this purpose, given their ability to withstand repeated impacts and their existing presence in military inventory.

Suggestion: Military Drone Swarms

Civilian applications of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) are diverse and numerous. They include aerial crop surveys, aerial photography, search and rescue, inspection of power lines and pipelines, counting wildlife, and delivering medical supplies to remote areas.

UAVs can also be used for cooperative environment monitoring, border patrol missions, convoy protection, forest fire detection and monitoring, surveillance, and coordinating humanitarian aid. They can even be used to track plumes, measure landslides, and detect illegal landfills.

Private citizens and media organizations use UAVs for surveillance, recreation, news-gathering, or personal land assessment. For example, an animal rights group used a hexacopter to film hunters shooting pigeons in South Carolina, and a UAV was used to locate a man with dementia who had been missing for three days.

Demining efforts are getting a high-tech boost thanks to the development of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) equipped with advanced imaging technology. These UAVs can quickly and accurately map out minefields, helping deminers focus on areas where mines are most likely to be found.

The Find A Better Way charity and scientists at the University of Bristol are working together to create UAVs that use hyperspectral imaging to detect landmines. This technology can identify explosive chemicals seeping from landmines into the surrounding foliage, making it possible to tell how healthy plants are.

The Mine Kafon Drone, a UAV system designed by Massoud Hassani, uses a three-step process to autonomously map, detect, and detonate land mines. It flies above potentially dangerous areas, generates a 3D map, and uses a metal detector to pinpoint the location of mines.

This UAV is claimed to be safer, 20 times faster, and up to 200 times cheaper than current technologies. It's a game-changer for demining efforts around the world, with the potential to clear mines globally in just 10 years.

A different take: Long Endurance Uav

Delivery is a game-changer, especially in remote areas where traditional transportation methods are limited. In 2013, a research project by DHL successfully delivered a small quantity of medicine via a UAV.

UAVs can transport medicines and medical specimens into and out of inaccessible regions, making it a vital service for people in need. The prime minister of the United Arab Emirates announced in 2014 that the UAE planned to launch a fleet of UAVs to deliver official documents and supply emergency services at accidents.

Google has been testing UAVs for two years, aiming to produce UAVs that can deliver items. The Google X program is working on making UAVs a reliable and efficient way to transport goods.

In 2015, a NASA Langley fixed-wing Cirrus SR22 aircraft, flown remotely from the ground, operated by NASA's Langley Research Center in Hampton, delivered pharmaceuticals and other medical supplies to an outdoor free clinic at the Wise County Fairgrounds, Virginia. The supplies were then transported by small, unmanned UAVs to the free clinic.

Local shops will soon be able to deliver goods from a UAV, thanks to the Uvionix Nksy aerial delivery service. They plan to deliver fast food, beer, coffee, soda, electronics, prescriptions, and personal care products.

A different take: Drone Swarm Langley

Drones are revolutionizing the construction industry by making it safer and more efficient. They can survey building sites to monitor progress, spot errors early on, and avoid rework.

In 2016, the US government passed CFR 14 Part 107 regulation, allowing drone pilots to become licensed by the FAA for small UAS operation. This has enabled the use of drones for commercial purposes, such as construction progress monitoring and site surveying.

Construction companies can use drones to measure raw materials as inputs to building construction. Aerial photographs can be used to create 3D models and 2D orthomosaic maps of buildings.

Drones can also be used to drop materials, such as bricks or concrete, to construction sites, reducing the need for manual labor. This can be particularly useful for construction projects that require precise placement of materials.

In 2022, engineers reported the development of swarms of autonomous 3D-printing drones for additive manufacturing and repair. This technology has the potential to revolutionize the construction industry by enabling the rapid creation of complex structures.

Carlo Paneni, of Ausco Modular, has conducted a preliminary proof of concept of a drone in the construction of modular buildings. The drone was used to cover gaps between modules, reducing the need for manual labor and improving safety.

Drones can be used to monitor and report progress on construction sites, reducing the need for manual inspections and improving accuracy. They can also be used to create detailed 3D models of buildings, allowing for more precise planning and execution of construction projects.

In 2014, a UAV was used to successfully locate a man with dementia, who was missing for 3 days. This highlights the potential of drones for search and rescue operations, which can be particularly useful in construction sites where workers may be injured or lost.

Hobbyists have been flying model aircraft since the earliest days of manned flight.

In the United States, hobby and recreational use of small UAS is permitted when operated in accordance with a community-based set of safety guidelines and nationwide community-based organizations, such as the Academy of Model Aeronautics.

These community-based organizations maintain operational safety guidelines with a long proven history of effectiveness and safety.

Recreational uses of UAVs include filming and photographing recreational activities, which can be a great way to capture memories and share them with others.

Drone racing is another popular recreational activity, where participants control radio-controlled UAVs equipped with cameras, while wearing head-mounted displays showing the live stream camera feed from the drones.

Drone racing requires a good understanding of UAVs and their capabilities, as well as a safe and controlled environment to operate in.

Recreational activities like droneboarding and drone surfing also exist, but they generally require rather large and expensive UAVs.

Here are some specific guidelines for recreational use of UAVs in the United States:

In the realm of manufacturing, drones are making waves with their innovative capabilities. Drones can be used for additive manufacturing of structures, either singularly or through swarm 3D printing.

This approach is particularly useful for producing large structures and components that traditional 3D printing can't handle due to hardware size constraints.

Researchers like IBM and Rosotics are at the forefront of aerial manufacturing, with Rosotics being the first to demonstrate swarm 3D printing using a metallic payload.

One major challenge in aerial manufacturing is achieving energy efficiency and stabilizing manufacturing hardware against the drone.

The Rapid Induction Printing metal additive manufacturing process, introduced in June 2020, has accelerated the field by providing a safer and more energy-efficient means of production.

This breakthrough has allowed for the use of lightweight onboard power systems, which are consistent with the drone industry's capabilities.

Drones have even demonstrated the feasibility of painting a wall with spray cans, showcasing their versatility in various applications.

Passenger transport is becoming increasingly viable, thanks to the advancements in UAV technology. In January 2016, Ehang UAV announced UAVs capable of carrying passengers.

Several companies have entered the market with plans to release their own passenger drones by 2024, including Archer, Joby, Lilium, and Volocopter.

Types of UAVs can be broadly classified into three main categories: Rotor-type, Wing-type, and Buoyancy-type. Rotor-type UAVs rely on multiple rotors and propellers to generate thrust, while Wing-type UAVs use their wings to produce aerodynamic lift. Buoyancy-type UAVs, on the other hand, use forces of buoyancy to fly, such as those found in parachutes, balloons, and blimps.

Fixed-wing drones are a type of Wing-type UAV that are designed to look and work like an airplane, providing lift rather than vertical lift rotors. This makes them energy-efficient and capable of covering longer distances, mapping larger areas, and loitering for longer times. Fixed-wing drones can fly at high altitudes, carry more weight, and are more forgiving in the air than other drone types.

Multi-rotor drones, such as quadcopters, hexacopters, and octocopters, are also a type of Rotor-type UAV. They offer greater control over position and framing, making them perfect for aerial photography and surveillance. However, they have limited endurance and speed, making them unsuitable for large-scale aerial mapping, long-endurance monitoring, and long-distance inspection.

UAVs, or drones, have various names, including Aerial-rotor, Vertical take-off and landing aircraft, multi-rotor, and rotorcraft. These keywords help researchers find relevant papers on UAVs.

A survey by Liew et al. found that research papers on UAVs are published on topics like hardware development (31%) and control and modeling (28%). This makes sense, as these areas are crucial for UAV functionality.

UAVs have different types, including helicopters, tri-copters, quad-copters, hexa-copters, and octa-copters. The number of research papers on these types has increased over the years, with quad-copters being the most popular.

Quad-copters are versatile and can be used for various applications, including transportation of goods and medicines. They have a flexible design and can carry multiple payloads, making them efficient for inspections.

Multi-rotor drones, which include quad-copters, have limited endurance and speed, making them unsuitable for large-scale aerial mapping and long-distance inspections. However, they are ideal for visual inspections, thermal reports, photography and videography, and 3D scans.

Drones can be categorized based on their structure and weight, including Macro aerial Vehicle, Micro Aerial Vehicle (MAV), and Nano Aerial Vehicle (NAV). Quad-copters, in particular, have a central core system that acts as the brain of the UAV, processing data from onboard sensors and cameras.

The components of a UAV include Electronic Speed Controller (ESC), Camera & Gimbal, Flight controller, and Lithium-ion battery (LiPo). These components work together to enable the UAV to perform various tasks, such as path planning and collision avoidance.

Military drones are classified into three classes: Class I (small drones), Class II (medium drones), and Class III (larger combat drones). Class I drones, like the FULMAR, are lightweight and can reach high speeds, while Class III drones are equipped with advanced features like missile and laser-guided bomb capabilities.

Suggestion: Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicle

Fixed-Wing Hybrid VTOLs are a relatively new category of drones that merge the benefits of fixed-wing and rotor-based designs. They have rotors attached to the fixed wings, allowing them to hover and take off and land vertically.

Suggestion: Wing Delivery Drones

This technology is still in its nascent stage, and only a handful of fixed-wing hybrid VTOLs are currently on the market. Amazon's Prime Air delivery drone is one example of this type of technology.

Hybrid VTOL drones offer the best of both worlds – fixed-wing and rotor-based designs. They are perfect at either hovering or forward flight, making them a versatile option for various applications.

Here are some key features of fixed-wing hybrid VTOLs:

One of the benefits of fixed-wing hybrid VTOLs is their ability to fly for long periods of time. With a greater energy density of fuel, many fixed-wing UAVs can stay aloft for 16 hours or more.

Flight and Radio Controllers play a crucial role in UAVs, particularly in maintaining stability during hovering in mid-air.

Improper calibration of flight controllers can lead to crashes or non-stability in flight.

A highly configured radio controller with switchable sticks is essential for maintaining connectivity for long-range and vertical take-off and landing.

On a similar theme: UPS Flight Forward

The open-source flight controllers discussed in a survey by Lim et al. [17] include KK 2.1.5, Arducopter, Aeroquad, Pixhawk, Multiwii, Arduino, and Raspberry pi.

Development in flight controllers has increased over the past five years, with a focus on programming and operation.

Pixhawk has recently released a more stable flight controller, known as Pixhawk-cube, suitable for Quad, Hexa, and Octa-copters.

Motion capture techniques, as demonstrated by Lupashin et al. [21], can be used to explain complex flight topics such as rhythmic flight and aggressive adaptive flight.

The camera and gimbal system of a UAV is a crucial component that allows for high-definition image and video capture. This is especially useful for applications such as surveillance, inspection of solar panels or power transmission lines, and agriculture.

Thermal cameras are used in UAS for the detection of disease and breeding of plants. They can also be used for inspection purposes.

A gimbal is used to rotate the camera in x, y, and z directions without disturbing the tilt of the camera. This provides stabilization for capturing or recording high-definition images and videos.

Recommended read: High Altitude Long Endurance Uav

Many other system parts in a drone are gradually being improved, including GPS/GNSS, motors, ESC, battery and its charging systems, onboard controller, receivers, transmitters, and propellers. Some examples of these components are shown in Table 2.

Day by day, improvements are seen in the development and application of advanced accessories, including cameras and gimble systems.

UAV technology has come a long way, with research papers published on various topics such as hardware development and control and modelling making up more than 50% of the pie chart.

Improvements in technology and sensors, flight controllers and receivers have made it easier for researchers to focus on aerial robotics, leading to an increase in research papers over the years.

The number of research papers published on UAVs has increased from year to year, with a broad area of research still being carried out in this field.

Lithium-ion Polymer batteries, or LiPo, are the preferred choice for powering UAVs' onboard components and sensors.

These batteries are reliable and efficient, making them a great fit for UAVs. They provide a stable power source that can handle the demands of flight.

Drone pilots often carry an extra battery in case of an emergency during the flight. This precaution ensures that the UAV can continue flying safely even if the primary battery runs out.

The development of UAVs has seen significant growth in recent years.

Research on UAVs has been focused on hardware development and control and modeling, covering over 50% of published research papers.

The number of research papers published on UAVs has increased steadily over the years, with a notable growth in task planning, mapping, and inspection.

Quad-copters have experienced the most impressive transformation, with their numbers increasing from 7 in 2000-2004 to 509 in 2021.2.

The growth of hexa-copters and octa-copters is also notable, with their numbers increasing to 259 and 359 respectively in 2021.2.

These copters are gaining popularity due to their ease of control and ability to carry more payload.

Researchers are also showing interest in fixed-wing aerial robots, with their numbers reaching 56 in 2021.2.

The field of motion capturing systems is also increasing rapidly in the field of UAVs or drones since 2009.

A survey of top journals and international conferences from 2010 to date shows a steady increase in research papers on drones and aerial robotics.

The top twelve developed/developing countries, including the USA, Switzerland, and China, are mostly researching on integrating various sensors and modifications in the structure of UAVs for multiple applications.

Autonomy in UAVs is crucial due to the dynamic nature of their operating environment, where collisions with obstacles are a significant concern.

Research has shown that the present technologies are not capable of overcoming these issues, highlighting the need for autonomy implementation in UAVs.

In a dynamic environment, UAVs might collide with obstacles while performing different operations in various applications.

Autonomy is used in different applications such as inspection, path planning, communication, delivery system, task scheduling, etc.

There are ten levels of autonomy that are used for different applications, as mentioned in [73], which are used to define the control levels and autonomy as a metric in UAVs.

These levels of autonomy are becoming increasingly important as UAVs are rapidly emerging in various applications, such as path planning, inspection, fire-fighting service, and air ambulance.

The growth of UAVs in the future will require the development of modern algorithms and methods, such as Machine Learning, Artificial Intelligence, and Big data, to tackle the challenges of heterogeneous data collection.

Autonomy will play a vital role in handling the complexities of UAV operations, ensuring safe and efficient performance in various applications.

The UAV industry is rapidly growing and evolving, with a significant increase in research papers published on various topics. The number of research papers on UAVs has been growing steadily, with a notable increase in recent years.

UAVs are being used in a wide range of applications, including hurricane hunting, where they can fly into areas too dangerous for manned aircraft and provide near-real-time data. The Aerosonde unmanned aircraft system, for example, has been used by the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration since 2006.

The types of UAVs being developed and researched are also changing, with a shift from helicopters to quad-copters and other types of copters. Quad-copters, in particular, have seen a significant increase in research papers, with 509 papers published in 2021, up from just 7 in 2000-2004.

The growth of UAVs is also being driven by advancements in technology and sensors, flight controllers and receivers, which are making it easier for researchers to focus on aerial robotics. This has led to a broad area of research in the field, with an increasing number of papers being published each year.

In the future, UAVs are expected to be equipped with high-definition multiple cameras and sensors to capture heterogeneous data, such as ultraviolet and thermal images, video and audio recording. This will require the development of modern algorithms and methods, such as Machine Learning, Artificial Intelligence, Big data, Internet of Things, edge computing and software-defined network, to tackle the challenges of deploying UAVs in various applications.

Countries such as the USA, Switzerland, France, Australia, and Japan are leading the research in UAVs, with a focus on integrating various sensors and modifying the structure of UAVs for multiple applications.

International UAV use is a rapidly growing field with numerous countries investing in research and development. The top twelve developed/developing countries, including the USA, Switzerland, France, Australia, Japan, Germany, India, China, South Korea, Italy, United Arab Emirates, and others, are leading the way in UAV innovation.

These countries are mostly researching the integration of various sensors and modifications in the structure of UAVs for multiple applications. In fact, a survey of top journals and international conferences from 2010 to date shows that the number of research papers on drones and aerial robotics has increased from year to year.

Here are some notable international UAV projects:

The international use of UAVs is a fascinating topic. The Soviet Union and Russian Federation have a long history of developing UAVs, with the first reconnaissance UAV, the Lavochkin La-17, being introduced in 1953.

The Russian Federation has continued to develop its UAV capabilities, with the Yak Voron "raven" UCAV being designed for long-range, high-speed strike capability. The country has also developed a range of reconnaissance UAVs, including the ZALA 421-08, which has a flight time of 90 minutes and is equipped with video, photo, and IR cameras.

Brazil has also been actively developing its UAV capabilities, with the Brazilian Air Force operating the Acauã VANT Experimental UAV to develop electronic systems for future Brazilian UAVs. The country has also developed a range of civilian and military UAVs, including the Arara M1 and Carcara Infantry portable UAV.

Japan has also been involved in UAV development, with the Fuji TACOM reconnaissance UAV being used for surveillance and reconnaissance purposes. The country has also developed a range of industrial UAVs, including the Yamaha R-50 and R-MAX.

In addition to these countries, other nations have also been developing their UAV capabilities. For example, South Africa has developed the Denel Dynamics Bateleur UAV, which is a MALE reconnaissance/elint UAV. South Korea has also developed a range of UAVs, including the Korea Aerospace Night Intruder NI-100N, which is a medium-range tactical reconnaissance UAV.

Here is a list of some of the UAVs mentioned in this section:

Belgium has been actively involved in the development and use of UAVs.

The country's first UAV, the MBLE Épervier, was introduced in 1969.

In 2002, Belgium developed the B-Hunter UAV.

One notable example of a Belgian UAV is the Gatewing X-100, which was first introduced in 2010. This UAV is designed for mapping and surveying applications, and is manufactured by Trimble.

For your interest: First Unmanned Airplane

The Czech Republic has been actively developing its unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) capabilities.

They've had a few notable projects, including the Sojka III, which is a UAV that's been in development.

The country has also developed a short-range civilian surveillance system called HAES Scanner, which was introduced in 2005.

Another project, the HAES 90 Electric Ray, is a short-range reconnaissance UAV that was developed in 2012.

The Czech Republic has also worked on small aerial targets, such as the HAES 400, which was developed in 2009.

A new project, the HAES 700, is currently under development and was announced in 2012.

Here's a breakdown of some of the Czech Republic's notable UAV projects:

In Indonesia, the use of UAVs is a growing field, with several local companies developing their own drones.

PUNA, or Pesawat Udara Nir-Awak, is a UAV made by BPP Teknologi, a local technology company.

The country is also home to PT Mandiri Mitra Muhibbah, which has developed three types of target drones: STD, MTD, and LTD.

These drones are designed for specific purposes, with the STD being a small target drone and the LTD being a large one.

Here's a breakdown of the drones developed by PT Mandiri Mitra Muhibbah:

It's worth noting that these drones are designed for specific purposes, and their capabilities and features will vary accordingly.

Norway has been actively involved in the development and use of UAVs. Cryowing 1, a UAV, was developed by Northern Research Institute in 2007.

One of the notable developments in Norway is the Cryowing Mk 2, also developed by Northern Research Institute, in 2011. This UAV is an upgrade to the original Cryowing 1.

The MATS C, a target drone, was developed by Stephansen. It's a specialized UAV designed for training purposes.

In addition to these developments, other UAVs have been designed in Norway, including the Cruiser and Cruiser 2, developed by ET-Air. These UAVs are designed for various purposes.

Here's a list of some of the notable UAVs developed in Norway:

Poland has a notable presence in the world of UAVs, with various models being developed and used in the country.

The Pteryx UAV is one of the notable models developed in Poland.

One of the unique models developed by the Studenckie Koło Naukowe Lotników, Politechnika Rzeszowska (SKNL PRz) is the SKNL PRz PR5 Wiewiór, which comes in two variants: the Wiewiór and the Wiewiór plus.

The SKNL PRz has also developed other notable models, including the SKNL PRz PR-1 Szpion and the SKNL PRz PR-2 Gacek.

Poland's Flytronic company has also made its mark in the UAV industry with the FlyEye and Tarkus models.

Here are some of the notable UAV models developed in Poland:

Switzerland has a diverse range of UAVs in use, including the Aeroscout Scout B1-100 and the RUAG Ranger.

The Aeroscout Scout B1-100 is a popular choice for Swiss UAV operations, known for its versatility and reliability. It's a great example of a well-designed UAV that can handle a variety of tasks.

The RUAG Ranger is another notable UAV used in Switzerland, offering advanced features and capabilities that make it a favorite among operators. It's a testament to the country's commitment to innovation in UAV technology.

Here are some of the notable UAVs used in Switzerland: