Enhancing public good missions and disaster response with advanced aerial technology: opportunities and challenges

In 2023, the International Forum for Aviation Research (IFAR) submitted their ‘Scientific Assessment for Urban Air Mobility’ to the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Council 2023. This independent scientific statement from 27 of the world’s leading aeronautical research institutions highlighted the potential and challenges for advanced air mobility (AAM). As the researchers worked on this assessment, they identified many commonalities in the original applications expected for new vehicles, i.e., public good missions. This triggered discussions on ongoing research and gaps which need to be bridged so that aviation technologies can aid public good operations such as disaster response and medical deliveries of goods and personnel, for example. This presentation will identify commonalities and differences in the disaster-response research conducted by various IFAR members and discuss major research challenges and remaining gaps. Most common use cases and types of disasters are shown and analyzed. Special attention is given to advanced air mobility applications, integration of crewed and uncrewed vehicles, automation and new sensors and data analysis which can benefit fast and efficient disaster response.