Multi-UAV networks for disaster monitoring: challenges and opportunities from a network perspective

Disasters, whether natural or man-made, demand rapid and comprehensive responses. Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), or drones, have become essential in disaster scenarios, serving as crucial communication relays in areas with compromised infrastructure. They establish temporary networks, aiding coordination among emergency responders and facilitating timely assistance to survivors. Recent advancements in sensing technology have transformed emergency response by combining the collaborative power of these networks with real-time data processing. However, challenges remain to consider these networks for disaster monitoring applications, particularly in deployment strategies, data processing, routing, and security. Extensive research is crucial to refine ad hoc networking solutions, enhancing the agility and effectiveness of these systems. This article explores various aspects, including network architecture, formation strategies, communication protocols, and security concerns in multi-UAV networks for disaster monitoring. It also examines the potential of enabling technologies like edge computing and artificial intelligence to bolster network performance and security. Further, the article provides a detailed overview of the key challenges and open issues, outlining various research prospects in the evolving field of multi-UAV networks for disaster response.