DEVELOPMENT OF SPECIALZED DRONE SYSTEMS FOR DISASTER MANAGEMENT

Abstract

Natural disasters such as earthquakes, floods, and large-scale fires continue to create significant challenges for emergency response teams, especially in densely populated urban areas. Effective disaster management requires rapid intervention and reliable communication infrastructure, both of which are often compromised in the aftermath of a major event. This study focuses on the development and practical implementation of customized unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) designed specifically for post-disaster scenarios.
Proposed drone systems include a mobile base station drone with ground-based power supply for establishing emergency communication networks, a lighting drone to support nighttime search and rescue operations, and specialized models for rapid delivery of medical aid and real-time mapping of affected zones

The research combines engineering design, technical feasibility analysis, and simulation-based testing to address operational challenges such as energy management, coverage optimization, and environmental resilience. In addition, the study discusses regulatory and ethical aspects of UAV deployment in disaster areas within the context of Turkish legislation.
Results indicate that integrating drone technologies into disaster response strategies can significantly shorten response times, improve situational awareness, and facilitate lifesaving interventions. The findings also highlight the potential for local manufacturing and cost-effective solutions, emphasizing the importance of tailored engineering approaches in real-world disaster