Simulation Environment Conceptual Design for Life-Saving UAV Flights in Mountainous Terrain

The civil and military use of autonomously or remotely controlled unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) has become standard in many sectors. However, their role as supplementary vehicles for helicopter emergency medical services (HEMS) or search and rescue (SAR)—particularly when aiding individuals in har...

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Main Authors: Natália Gecejová, Marek Češkovič, Pavol Kurdel
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-06-01
Series:Drones
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2504-446X/9/6/416
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author Natália Gecejová
Marek Češkovič
Pavol Kurdel
author_facet Natália Gecejová
Marek Češkovič
Pavol Kurdel
author_sort Natália Gecejová
collection DOAJ
description The civil and military use of autonomously or remotely controlled unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) has become standard in many sectors. However, their role as supplementary vehicles for helicopter emergency medical services (HEMS) or search and rescue (SAR)—particularly when aiding individuals in hard-to-reach terrains—remains underexplored and in need of further innovation. The feasibility of using UAVs in such operations depends on multiple factors, including legislative, economic, and market conditions. However, the most critical considerations are external factors that impact UAV flight, such as meteorological conditions (wind speed and direction), the designated operational area, the proficiency of the pilot–operator, and the classification and certification of the UAV, particularly if it has been modified for such missions. Additionally, the feasibility of the remote or autonomous control of the UAV in mountainous environments plays a crucial role in determining their effectiveness. Establishing a specialized simulation environment to address these challenges is essential for assessing UAV performance in mountainous regions. This is particularly relevant in the Slovak Republic, a very rugged landscape, where the planned expansion of UAV-assisted rescue operations must be preceded by thorough testing, flight verification, and operational planning within protected landscape areas. Moreover, significant legislative changes will be required, which can only be implemented after the comprehensive testing of UAV operations in these specific mountain environments.
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institution Kabale University
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publishDate 2025-06-01
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series Drones
spelling doaj-art-84310cbfff8b4c56b785fecdf929249d2025-08-20T03:24:34ZengMDPI AGDrones2504-446X2025-06-019641610.3390/drones9060416Simulation Environment Conceptual Design for Life-Saving UAV Flights in Mountainous TerrainNatália Gecejová0Marek Češkovič1Pavol Kurdel2Faculty of Aeronautics, Technical University of Košice, Rampová 7, 040 01 Košice, SlovakiaFaculty of Aeronautics, Technical University of Košice, Rampová 7, 040 01 Košice, SlovakiaFaculty of Aeronautics, Technical University of Košice, Rampová 7, 040 01 Košice, SlovakiaThe civil and military use of autonomously or remotely controlled unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) has become standard in many sectors. However, their role as supplementary vehicles for helicopter emergency medical services (HEMS) or search and rescue (SAR)—particularly when aiding individuals in hard-to-reach terrains—remains underexplored and in need of further innovation. The feasibility of using UAVs in such operations depends on multiple factors, including legislative, economic, and market conditions. However, the most critical considerations are external factors that impact UAV flight, such as meteorological conditions (wind speed and direction), the designated operational area, the proficiency of the pilot–operator, and the classification and certification of the UAV, particularly if it has been modified for such missions. Additionally, the feasibility of the remote or autonomous control of the UAV in mountainous environments plays a crucial role in determining their effectiveness. Establishing a specialized simulation environment to address these challenges is essential for assessing UAV performance in mountainous regions. This is particularly relevant in the Slovak Republic, a very rugged landscape, where the planned expansion of UAV-assisted rescue operations must be preceded by thorough testing, flight verification, and operational planning within protected landscape areas. Moreover, significant legislative changes will be required, which can only be implemented after the comprehensive testing of UAV operations in these specific mountain environments.https://www.mdpi.com/2504-446X/9/6/416simulation workplaceUAVmountainous environment
spellingShingle Natália Gecejová
Marek Češkovič
Pavol Kurdel
Simulation Environment Conceptual Design for Life-Saving UAV Flights in Mountainous Terrain
Drones
simulation workplace
UAV
mountainous environment
title Simulation Environment Conceptual Design for Life-Saving UAV Flights in Mountainous Terrain
title_full Simulation Environment Conceptual Design for Life-Saving UAV Flights in Mountainous Terrain
title_fullStr Simulation Environment Conceptual Design for Life-Saving UAV Flights in Mountainous Terrain
title_full_unstemmed Simulation Environment Conceptual Design for Life-Saving UAV Flights in Mountainous Terrain
title_short Simulation Environment Conceptual Design for Life-Saving UAV Flights in Mountainous Terrain
title_sort simulation environment conceptual design for life saving uav flights in mountainous terrain
topic simulation workplace
UAV
mountainous environment
url https://www.mdpi.com/2504-446X/9/6/416
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AT marekceskovic simulationenvironmentconceptualdesignforlifesavinguavflightsinmountainousterrain
AT pavolkurdel simulationenvironmentconceptualdesignforlifesavinguavflightsinmountainousterrain