Current research
UAV systems for maritime search and rescue.
Grant funding
$515,000
Search and Rescue New Initiatives Fund support, with additional backing from Queen's University and hardware partners.
Research focus
This work studies the deployment and characterization of fixed-wing UAVs for maritime search and rescue operations. The research focuses on implementing these systems in realistic operating conditions and evaluating detection methodologies for identifying maritime anomalies.
The project combines aircraft integration, field testing, mission planning, and detection-method evaluation to support more capable UAV-assisted SAR workflows.
Project context
I submitted the successful grant application and have been conducting undergraduate research on fixed-wing UAV implementation for maritime SAR. The broader project valuation is approximately $700,000 when Queen's University support and hardware partner contributions are included.
Read the Smith Engineering article