2026-09-19T21:04:38Zhttps://dspace.mit.edu/server/oai/requestoai:dspace.mit.edu:1721.1/1553672024-06-28T03:14:25Zcom_1721.1_7582com_1721.1_7581col_1721.1_131023
Balakrishnan, Hamsa
Saravanan, Akila
Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics
2024-06-27T19:48:13Z
2024-06-27T19:48:13Z
2024-05
2024-05-28T19:36:42.983Z
https://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/155367
The rapid deployment of fleets of small, uncrewed aircraft (drones) for tasks like package delivery or search-and-rescue in the immediate aftermath of a natural disaster are some of the most vital and common applications of advanced air mobility. Recognizing that successful drone missions depend on pre-established, well-positioned bases and efficient task allocation, this work presents a generalizable model for base positioning and routing in diverse applications. The proposed model prioritizes choosing bases that both maximize operational coverage and enable rapid responses to high-demand areas. Additionally, the framework integrates a vehicle routing component to optimize drone flight paths for efficient task completion in the tactical portion of drone-based operations; this component is the primary focus of this work. In addition to the theoretical formulation, the models are validated through case studies examining post-flooding search-and-rescue in the Iwate prefecture of Japan and package deliveries in the Austin, TX metropolitan area.
S.M.
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International (CC BY-NC-ND 4.0)
Copyright retained by author(s)
https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/
Strategic Planning and Deployment of Aerial Assets
Thesis
application/pdf
Master
Master of Science in Aeronautics and Astronautics
Publication
unknown
unknown
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<Abstract>The rapid deployment of fleets of small, uncrewed aircraft (drones) for tasks like package delivery or search-and-rescue in the immediate aftermath of a natural disaster are some of the most vital and common applications of advanced air mobility. Recognizing that successful drone missions depend on pre-established, well-positioned bases and efficient task allocation, this work presents a generalizable model for base positioning and routing in diverse applications. The proposed model prioritizes choosing bases that both maximize operational coverage and enable rapid responses to high-demand areas. Additionally, the framework integrates a vehicle routing component to optimize drone flight paths for efficient task completion in the tactical portion of drone-based operations; this component is the primary focus of this work. In addition to the theoretical formulation, the models are validated through case studies examining post-flooding search-and-rescue in the Iwate prefecture of Japan and package deliveries in the Austin, TX metropolitan area.</Abstract>
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