UAV uses in the AGRICULTURE | NATURAL RESOURCE MANAGEMENT sector enable users to execute their analysis, planting, monitoring, application, and maintenance tasks associated with cultivation of crops, management of vegetation, and tracking of wildlife. UAV uses within this sector are commonly executed over significant distances and expansive land areas from relatively open and unobstructed launch/landing areas. Due to the potential range of sensor options applied for uses within this sector, UAV payload, flight time, and interchangeability of sensor payloads are generally key UAV performance attributes.

UAS USES IN THE AGRICULTURE | NATURAL RESOURCE MANAGEMENT SECTOR

UAV use for Soil & Field Analysis includes collection of information on key aspects of agriculture fields, such as soil composition and crop health. The collected information is processed, analyzed, and applied to determine the optimal use and management for improved crop yields. Due to the generally expansive areas covered for this use, operating range and flight time are generally key UAS attributes. The potential need for multiple sensor types (thermal, RGB, etc.) also emphasizes the ability to easily change payloads.

Key UAS LIFE-CYCLE Considerations FOR THIS USE

In addition to the priority user requirements identified above there are some use-specific considerations that should inform your development of the UAS life-cycle capabilities needed to successfully execute this use. We provide a range of support services to help you determine what these and other considerations mean for your UAS selection and use. These key considerations include: 

• Specialized Data Analysis Support: This use generally requires synthesis of collected data to generate maps, images or other products usable by persons and/or machines.  Meeting these requirements generally demands specialized software and/or support.
• Specialized Sensor Requirements: Due to the need to examine soil and vegetation features often not possible with standard cameras, this use often demands use of specialized sensor packages. These packages can add significant cost and potentially weight to the total UAS.