Advances in UAV Applications and Propulsion Technologies Drive the Development of UAV Propulsion Standards

The number of small unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) used for private and commercial applications is growing exponentially, beyond the domain of hobby enthusiasts. However, standards development has not been keeping up with the applications and technologies now available. The advent of inexpensive battery-powered quadcopters as stable aerial photography and remote-viewing platforms has expanded the utility of these systems into commercial and private applications for inspection and surveillance. With drone-delivered packages on the horizon, the potential for expansion will be even higher. These developments need to be incorporated into standards being produced for UAVs and propulsion systems.