One application that could greatly benefit from the implementation of UAVs is search and rescue operations, specifically avalanches. There were 24 deaths in the US in 2012-2013 season and 26 deaths so far in 2013-2014 season (CAIC, n.d.). As the global climate changes, so do the conditions on the mountains. Furthermore, the number of riders/skiers is increasing each year. The risk to rider ratio is becoming increasingly dangerous. Most ski resorts take precautions like controlled explosions and required safety gear for backcountry riding, but disaster can strike at any time. When an avalanche occurs, the mountain patrols react very quickly and are trained for specific procedures to follow. The biggest factor in determining if a victim of an avalanche will be rescued safely is time. Avalanche victims commonly suffocate to death as the snow packs in tight around them each time the victim inhales. So as soon as the avalanche engulfs the victim, the clock starts.
The way a UAV can benefit the rescue workers is by providing specific locations of victims, so the rescue workers can pinpoint their efforts. When an avalanche hits, it covers all tracks and any trace of where the victim might be. Methods of finding victims include using dogs, stick probes, and technology. Dogs are the most common form since they are quick and have a high success rate, but they are expensive to train and house. Stick probes have a 70% chance of finding a victim, but the process is tedious and often too slow to save the victims life (unknown, n.d.). While technology like GPS can help locate lost skiers/snowboarders, the systems don’t work well under snow. Crews utilize helicopters to transport crew to the site quickly and carry a beacon responder aboard incase the victims are carrying a beacon, but even the beacons don’t work as fully intended.
A UAV fleet will allow crews to dispatch their aircraft(s) to the avalanche site on a moment’s notice and begin search operations with a preprogrammed algorithm while rescue crews gear up and travel to the site. By utilizing specific sensors to detect a human presence under snow, the UAV can locate the victim and relay the coordinate data and video feed to the rescue team. The largest benefit is the speed of deployment and travel time which allows the UAV to transmit data back to the crew before they even reach the site. Additional considerations for applications on the mountain could be sensors aboard constantly flying UAVs that can interpret data for potential avalanches. This could alert the mountain staff of a potential threat before the incident can occur.
Three platforms that I believe could accomplish this task are: Microdrone’s md4-1000, Aerovironment’s Puma AE, and Anthea Technologies Huginn X1. The md4-1000 is a four prop copter capable of vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) that has flight duration of up to 88 minutes (Microdrones, n.d.). Even though the md4-1000 is only able to travel at 15 m/s the helicopter style design allows this UAV to remain stationary over a specific area; allowing it to remain over a victim until help arrives. Much like the md4-1000, the Huggin X1 is also a quad copter. While the Huggin X1 does not have the duration of the md4-1000, only 25 minutes, the wind tolerance and payload capacity make up where it lacks (Anthea Technologies, n.d.). The Huggin X1 comes ready to use right out of the box, with a forward looking infrared camera (FLIR) already incorporated into the aircraft. The Puma AE also comes ready to use right out of the box. The Puma AE trumps the other UAVs in comparison in duration, speed, and payload capacity. The Puma AE can fly for up to 3.5 hours, at speeds up to 80 km/h, and with an optional under wing transit bay, it can increase payload capacity greatly (AVINC, 2013). The Puma AE is a fixed wing design that allows a faster, sturdier flight and can be launched by hand. It comes with a sensor suite that includes Electro-optical (EO) and Infrared (IR) cameras.
Personally I believe the Puma AE is the best suited UAV for the mission. The speed and durability of the UAV allow the rescue crew the chance to get the UAV to the site before they arrive and in any weather conditions. Additionally, the optional increased payload bay allows the crews to implement new technology as it is released, saving costs in the long run. The legal and ethical questions that would arise from utilizing UAV technology for search and rescue applications are few and far between. The legal issue would be using a UAV for commercial purposes and an ethical issue would be search and rescue teams relying too much on the UAV. The UAV should be an extension to their search and rescue procedures already in place.
References
Anthea Technologies. (n.d.). Technical Specifications. Retrieved May 4, 2014, from antheatechnologies.com: www.antheatechnologies.com/sky-watch-huginn-x1/huginn-x1-information/technical-specifications.aspx
AVINC. (2013, October 11). Puma AE. Retrieved May 4, 2014, from avinc.com: http://www.avinc.com/downloads/DS_Puma_Online_10112013.pdf CAIC. (n.d.).
U.S. Avalanche Accidents Reports. Retrieved May 3, 2014, from avalanche.org: www.avalanche.org/accidents.php
Microdrones. (n.d.). Key Information of the md4-1000. Retrieved May 4, 2014, from microdrones.com: http://www.microdrones.com/products/md4-1000/md4-1000-key-information.php#what
Unknown. (n.d.). Search and Rescue. Retrieved May 4, 2014, from pistehors.com: www.pistehors.com/backcountry/wiki/Avalanches/Search-And-Rescue
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