How Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) Can Help Meet the Needs of Tomorrow

The continuous modernization of industrial processes is dizzying and exciting. All Systems Go is a show that intends to demystify the varying technologies—from UAVs and robotics to supply chain software and virtual reality sims—and how they will advance everything from logistics to manufacturing across the globe.

 

Unmanned aerial systems (UAS) have been talked of as a solution to a range of challenges that may have been under consideration before the Covid-19 pandemic but have certainly been thrown into sharp relief by the disruption to supply chains, across the world and right down to the ‘last mile’, for deliveries to domestic addresses. They have roles in military, government, fisheries, agriculture and low-altitude communications.

Tony Duthie, founding director of Adept Aviation Solutions Ltd, addresses the current situation, capabilities and developments in the UAS environment. Tony has spent 40 years in aerospace companies. He was vice-president of AgustaWestland in the USA and recently retired from Leonardo Helicopters, where he was Head of Land and Maritime Marketing, Helicopters.

Although civilian use has been attracting a lot of attention and publicity, military and government deployment has actually been more widespread. The dream of UASs being routinely deployed in roles such as online shopping deliveries is unlikely, for a number of reasons. Outside of ‘cities of the future’, designed with UAVs in mind and with excellent communications, they are not practical in urban spaces, for reasons of cost and the logistics of the urban infrastructure. Urgent deliveries, for b2b, or in health – for example, emergency drugs, blood or transplant tissue transported to hospitals, which already have helicopter landing facilities – could be an option. They may be very useful in rural settings such as the Australian Outback and other sparsely-populated areas.

The UAs community includes commercial users, regional / national governments and agencies, NGOs, international agencies and national militaries and alliances. Commercial users want UAS to reduce costs and risks of commercial activities. Government / ngo/ international agencies use fixed wing UAS to deliver BLOS (beyond line of sight) ISR (intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance) capabilities in remote / hostile regions.

Military forces across the world, led by USA, have been introducing mainly fixed wing high/medium altitude long endurance tactical systems delivering “find, fix and strike” and “find” systems using rotary wing micro / small land vehicles.  Tactical and larger UAS have to be integrated into air/land/maritime surface and sub-surface domains in commercial / government and military environments.

Software assurance has emerged as a particular issue, even for large manufacturers like Boeing and Airbus. As aerospace systems seek to move from automation to greater degrees of autonomy, there will be significant debate about regulation, certification and qualification of platforms and delivery systems.

Lines between civilian and government usage are becoming blurred, especially in agriculture and fisheries, and disaster management and intervention.

Follow us on social media for the latest updates in B2B!

Twitter – @MarketScale
Facebook – facebook.com/marketscale
LinkedIn – linkedin.com/company/marketscale

Follow us on social media for the latest updates in B2B!

Image

Latest

influencer partnerships
Moving Beyond Social Media Buzz: How Authentic Content & Long-Term Influencer Partnerships Can Drive Hotel ROI
July 30, 2025

Influencer marketing is rapidly changing, and many hotels are still figuring out how to tap into its full potential. As travelers demand more authentic and relatable content, the pressure is on for hotels to adapt their marketing strategies. But with skepticism around the true ROI of influencer partnerships, it’s more important than ever for brands…

Read More
workforce
Building a Future-Ready Workforce: With Traditional Training Models Failing, It’s Time for Employers and Educators to Build Solutions Together
July 30, 2025

In an era where the average job tenure in the U.S. hovers under four years and industries are evolving faster than academic curricula can keep up, the need for a new approach to workforce development has never been more urgent. Companies like Amazon and McDonald’s are responding by investing in “education as a benefit”…

Read More
belief
Learning Out Loud with Belief, Courage, and the Power of Yes
July 30, 2025

In a world where workplace disengagement is on the rise, with global employee engagement falling to just 21% in 2024, leaders and teams are increasingly seeking meaning, connection, and growth in their work. Amid this shift, professionals are asking deeper questions about purpose and fulfillment, both individually and collectively. That’s exactly where Paul Plamondon’s…

Read More
professional advancement
The Measured Mindset: How Mentorship, Curiosity, and Listening Drive Professional Advancement and Growth
July 29, 2025

Not every path into analytics starts with code and spreadsheets. For some, it begins with curiosity, adaptability, mentorship, and a willingness to learn something entirely new. That’s the case for Mayank Malviya, whose journey from a humanities education in India to a career in U.S.-based market research reveals how initiative and mentorship can accelerate…

Read More