Outback Joe’s all set to go missing … but never fear, UAS is here!
There are literally thousands of potential uses for civil and public use unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), but some of the most compelling arguments center on their use in humanitarian missions. UAS can be an indispensible tool during natural disasters such as hurricane Katrina by assessing damage, locating victims and providing airborne communication links. Unmanned vehicles can be deployed in areas where it would be unsafe to put manned resources such as in the aftermath of an earthquake where the structural integrity of buildings and structures has been compromised. And as currently being demonstrated in Australia, unmanned aircraft can play a pivotal and extremely cost effective role during Search and Rescue operations.
Having personally flown thousands of hours conducting search and rescue missions over a nearly 40-year career in aviation, I can attest to the cost and demands of such operations. The use of current day UAS technology could significantly reduce the cost and substantially increase the efficiency and effectiveness of the search effort and undoubtedly save lives.
Though there are a number of operational systems under development, I can see robotic “swarm” technology playing a key role in effectively searching a vast area in a relatively short period of time. Australia’s “Outback Challenge “ is playing a vital role in developing and proving these operational systems.
Event manager Laura Lane, lead judge Jonathan Roberts, Airborne Delivery Challenge judge Duncan Campbell, CASA-designated co-ordinator Brendan Williams and event co-ordinator Peggy MacTavish
Click the link below to read the recent article published by South Burnett.com.au…
Can Anyone Find Outback Joe?
Rich Hanson
AMA Government and Regulatory Affairs