Deploying UAS and Rugged Laptops to Support the U.S. Forest Service's Mission

The United States Forest Service, an agency of the USDA, is responsible for managing the National Forest System. This system consists of 150 national forests and 20 national grasslands that cover 193 million acres across the country and its territories. Effective management of this much land mass requires intelligent deployment of technology such as unmanned aerial systems (UAS) paired with rugged laptops.

UAS are critical tools for monitoring the national Forest System and effectively responding to crises such as wildfires. Rugged laptops and tablets support UAS deployment by acting as hubs where U.S. Forest Service employees can “pilot” UAS while monitoring and disseminating the information these devices gather.

TOUGHBOOK rugged laptops are optimized for use with UAS while also providing the durability and reliability needed for use across the many varied conditions present across the National Forest System.

How the U.S. Forest Service Utilizes UAS and Rugged Laptops

The U.S. Forest Service is already deploying UAS to reduce human exposure in dangerous situations. There are also potential plans to increase usage of UAS as the technology becomes more integrated in U.S. Forest Service operations.

Current Uses for UAS

The U.S. Forest Service is currently using UAS in two primary scenarios: Wildfire Support and Data Collection/Resource Management. 

• Wildfire Support. Fighting and controlling wildfires is vital to maintaining the health of our national forest system. However, wildfires are inherently dangerous. UAS mitigate this danger by replacing human-piloted helicopters in low-altitude, slow airspeed situations that are particularly risky for human operators. UAS are also being used to reduce exposure on dangerous aerial ignition operations.
• Data Collection and Resource Management. 193 million acres is an incredible amount of land to manage. Adding to the sheer size, much of that land can be difficult to access, especially during adverse weather conditions or at night. UAS can be used to safely reach difficult areas at any time, providing needed data that leads to more efficient resource allocation. UAS can also be deployed into recent disaster areas to assess infrastructure and damage with no risk to human operators. 

Possible Future Uses of UAS

UAS are already becoming important tools for the U.S. Forest Service. But the versatility of UAS means there are still many potential use cases that the U.S Forest Service is only just starting to explore: 

• Enhanced forest management and fire response. While UAS are already being used in forest management and wildfire support roles, there are opportunities to greatly expand these uses. As more UAS are deployed and paired with high-powered rugged laptops, more data can be collected and disseminated. This will allow the Forest Service to be more proactive and predictive in both resource management and wildfire response and prevention.
• Watershed, air quality, and soil management. UAS can be used to monitor the condition of both watersheds and general air quality, ensuring the continued health of these vital areas.
• Monitoring fish, wildlife, and plants. By assessing the habitats and health of the living creatures that call the National Forest System home, the Forest Service can respond more quickly when habitats or species become threatened.
• Recreational data; Search and rescue support. National forests offer a multitude of recreational opportunities to civilians. To keep people safe, UAS can be used to monitor trails and recreational sites. UAS can also be deployed to assist in search and rescue operations when someone goes missing.
• Law enforcement support. UAS can assist law enforcement in monitoring crimes such as timber theft, vandalism, and narcotics production. 

These are just some of the potential UAS use cases the Forest Service is exploring. The potential for UAS usage is likely to continue growing as more devices are deployed and workers become more familiar with the technology.

What Rugged Laptops Need to Support UAS Operations

While UAS have no traditional crew, they are still controlled by human operators. This control is accomplished remotely with rugged laptops and mobile devices that connect operators to their UAS. These devices are much more than simply remote controls.

UAS collect large quantities of data fast. Especially in disaster situations, being able to quickly receive and disseminate this data is imperative to making correct and timely decisions. Devices with solid-state drive (SSD) capacity offer advantages over those with hard disk drives (HDDs), especially when dealing with large quantities of data: 

• SSDs process data more quickly than HDDs.
• SSDs are smaller, meaning they are more adaptable and easier to deploy as add-ons to devices than HDDs.
• SSDs have fewer moving parts than HDDs. This makes them more durable, which can be important when deploying them in harsh terrains or situations where quick movement is needed. 

In addition to the large amounts of data, UAS data can also be complex. Different UAS may be able to collect video, thermal imaging, or real-time maps. Rugged laptops need to have the processing power to relay and display this information in real-time.

Finally, devices need reliable connectivity. If a device disconnects from its UAS, then operators have no way of retrieving the data that’s being received. This connectivity needs to be maintained across the various environments that the U.S. Forest Service is tasked with managing. TOUGHBOOK rugged laptops excel at all of these requirements and more to maximize the effectiveness of UAS.

What Sets TOUGHBOOK Rugged Laptops Apart

Rugged laptops are the heart of UAS operation. Especially in disaster situations, there’s no comparison between rugged and consumer devices. That’s why 85% of firefighters surveyed said that rugged devices were imperative to successfully do their job. TOUGHBOOK rugged laptops and tablets are uniquely situated to provide the U.S. Forest Service with everything needed for successful UAS operation.

Unmatched Durability

TOUGHBOOK laptops are designed to withstand the rigors of any environment. Even compared to other rugged devices, TOUGHBOOK is 72% more reliable when comparing device failure rates. TOUGHBOOKs are made to stand up to: 

• Extreme heat or cold
• Thermal shock
• Dust, dirt, and moisture
• High or low altitudes
• Vibrations, drops, and other rough usage 

Across 193 million acres, you'll see many different environments. TOUGHBOOK can operate across all of them. TOUGHBOOK also provides enhanced usability in these different environments. Features such as responsive displays that can be used in the bright sun and long-lasting batteries with hot swap capability mean devices will be usable whenever and wherever they are needed.

Superior Connectivity

Connection to the UAS is imperative for successful operation. TOUGHBOOK rugged laptops are equipped with superior connectivity tools to make sure devices can connect in any environment: 

• 5G and 4G LTE mobile broadband, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth capable
• High-performing antenna modules
• Embedded wireless components
• Access to first responder networks (FirstNet and Verizon Response Solutions)

Ongoing Support

TOUGHBOOK isn't just about being the most reliable rugged laptop on the market. We also partner with the experts at Panasonic Connect. Panasonic Professional Services are available to support you throughout the lifespan of your TOUGHBOOK. Our experts are there to help from initial deployment all the way through any troubleshooting that might arise along the way.

TOUGHBOOK Rugged Laptops Get the Most Out Of UAS

With challenges such as climate change and worsening natural disasters, the U.S. Forest Service’s mission is as difficult as it has ever been. Thankfully, technology like UAS allows the Forest Service to respond to these challenges quickly and effectively while reducing risk to employees.

By operating UAS with TOUGHBOOK rugged laptops, the U.S. Forest Service can expand its UAS capabilities and equip its employees with government laptops suitable for the challenges they face today and into the future.