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Uncrewed Aircraft Systems
First responders often operate in environments that are dangerous and difficult to navigate. The Uncrewed Aircraft Systems (UAS) portfolio executes prize challenges that incentivize industry and researchers to develop drone technology to assist first responders in these situations. Through these prize challenges, PSCR drives innovation to improve the tools critical to search and rescue (SAR) operations, situational awareness, and more.
Uncrewed Aircraft Systems Portfolio Mission:
To advance the capabilities of uncrewed aircraft systems and provide safe, effective, and reliable solutions to first responder in their crucial missions by conducting cutting-edge research for emergency response operations.
Uncrewed Aircraft Systems Portfolio Vision:
To lead the innovation of uncrewed aircraft system technology that supports public safety efforts in disasters or emergency situations with degraded or destroyed communications infrastructure.
Featured Project
SAR operations that occur in unfamiliar environments may present danger to first responders. For example, SAR operations that take place in an indoor, constrained environment such as a partial building collapse, require reliable tools to assess risk and necessary resources. At present, cost-effective UAS solutions do not exist that improve real-time information and promote safe, indoor response efforts. PSCR is running the UAS Indoor Prize Challenge to propel advancements in this field.
Learn more about the 2022 First Responder UAS Indoor Challenge
Extramural Research
- 2018 Unmanned Aerial Systems Flight and Payload Challenge
- 2020 First Responder UAS Endurance Challenge
- 2021 First Responder UAS Triple Challenge
- 2022 First Responder UAS Indoor Challenge
Quick Resources
- Webinar Recording: UAS Triple Challenge: Drones for First Responders
- Webinar Recording: The History & Future of the PSCR Drone Program
Related Content
- It Takes a (Worldwide) Village to Improve Drone Technology for First Responders
- NIST Prize Challenge Launched Research for Unmanned Aircraft in Search and Rescue
- NIST Announces Top 4 Winners in the National First Responder UAS Endurance Challenge
- Flying Drones Compete to Complete Unprecedented Feat
- Survey of Drone Usage in Public Safety Agencies
- The Last Drone Standing: First Responder UAS Endurance Challenge
-
Supporting Mobile Public Safety Broadband Using Drone-Borne Networks
- NIST, Engineering Laboratory/Intelligent Systems Division/Aerial Systems
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