¶ Operation of UAVs by a manned tender to detect, assess and accommodate change and hazards
| Patent holder | Univ Gerorge Washington, Univ New York State Res Found |
| Country | United States |
| Patent link | View patent |
| Category | Planning & Inventory › Remote sensing & mapping |
Integrated Unmanned and Manned UAV Network
¶ Overview
The operation of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) by a manned tender vehicle represents an integrated field methodology for real-time environmental monitoring and hazard management in forestry and logging operations. In this model, a ground-based tender vehicle — typically a ruggedised 4WD or light truck — serves as a mobile command, communication, and logistics hub for one or more UAVs deployed over an active harvesting or replanting coupe. The tender carries spare batteries, data processing hardware, and communications equipment, allowing the UAV to conduct repeated sorties with minimal downtime. During operations, the UAV captures high-resolution RGB, multispectral, or thermal imagery that is transmitted to or processed aboard the tender, enabling near-real-time assessment of ground conditions, slope stability, drainage features, windthrow, fire risk, and wildlife habitat features that may require operational adjustment. This approach addresses a key limitation of stand-alone drone deployments — the need for a skilled observer to contextualise aerial data and make immediate operational decisions without returning to a base camp or office. In Australian forestry, UAV-tender combinations have been explored to support adaptive harvest planning under the Regional Forest Agreements framework, where operators must respond quickly to the detection of threatened species habitat, erosion risk, or unexpected coupe boundary conditions. The manned tender operator typically holds both a drone pilot certification and forestry field qualifications, enabling integration of UAV intelligence with machine operator communication via radio or digital data link. Regulatory compliance under CASA's remotely piloted aircraft systems (RPAS) rules, particularly those governing beyond-visual-line-of-sight (BVLOS) operations, remains a key consideration for scaling this model across the Australian industry.
¶ Details
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Company | Univ Gerorge Washington, Univ New York State Res Found |
| Country | United States |
| Type | Patent |
| Year | 45147 |
| Status | Pending |
| FWPA RD&E | 7.3 |
| Inventors | Millar arichard C, Meyer Robert Walter |
| Patent No. | WO 2024/054628 A2 |