Adaptation and Automation of Search and Rescue Patterns with Implementation for an Operational Unmanned Aircraft System

Abstract

The development and employment of Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) is transferring many missions from manned aircraft to UAS. Search is one of these missions. This work proposes leveraging the familiar, well-established tools and procedures from search and rescue while automating them to increase efficiency and effectiveness. Search patterns are automatically generated for arbitrary regions, with parameters determined using the search target size and search vehicle capabilities. Execution of the search is automated with vehicle sensor pointing algorithms. The result is a tool that plans and executes a search mission with an unmanned aircraft using an operational UAS ground control station.