Design Criteria of a UAV for ISTAR and Remote Sensing Applications

Unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) is a multi-role avionic system used for many applications. Photogrammetry is the art and science of locating and measuring the geometric property of spatial objects from photographs captured remotely using sensors from air and space. This paper discusses the design of a new integrated system combining the capability of three different technologies, viz. UAV, photogrammetry and artificial intelligence to carry out intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition and reconnaissance (ISTAR) applications. The design criteria of such a UAV are proposed in the form of min–max conditions of these associated technologies. This paper also discusses the improved photogrammetric applications that can be performed using a UAV and artificial intelligence. The size weight area and power (SWAP) constraints in designing such a UAV for photogrammetric and remote sensing applications are discussed in this paper.