UAS Technology & Research

The technology behind UAS is evolving at a very rapid rate. The examples and links below are a starting point to introduce you to some of the players in the development of UAS technology and operations.

Types of UAS

The most common type of UAS used in the fire service is the multi-rotor or quad-copter platform and weighs less than 55 pounds. This type gives the user flexibility to maneuver the UAS and its sensors at any altitude and position within the capability of the device and regulatory framework. These UAS are currently being used on a variety of smaller area incidents such as building fires, EMS incidents, motor vehicle crashes and hazardous materials incidents.

Limitations

Flight time based on battery life, range based on radio reception and regulatory conditions.
The smaller UAS are greatly affected by wind and may be unusable during high wind conditions.

Cost range
$500-$10,000

Larger platform (greater than 55 pounds), fixed-wing UAS have proven very useful on larger area and longer duration incidents such as wildfires, hurricanes and earthquakes. These UAS do not have the same flexibility of providing low level operations, but instead provide longer duration, macro level views of large scale and long duration incidents.

Limitations