National Uncrewed Systems Office Active

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) National Uncrewed Systems Office (NUSO) leads the research activities needed to make Uncrewed Aircraft Systems (UAS) data collection an efficient, safe, and cost-effective remote sensing tool for Department of the Interior (DOI) and USGS scientists.

DOI manages over 20 percent of the Nation’s public lands and is responsible for migratory bird and wildlife conservation; historic preservation; endangered species conservation; surface-mined lands protection and restoration; and mapping, geological, hydrological, and biological science for the Nation.  Access to remotely sensed data is critical to fulfilling the DOI’s commitment to providing the best available science over such diverse missions and extensive landscapes. UAS is a tool that has quickly become vital to scientists by delivering some of the best remotely sensed data available over DOI’s expansive geography. UAS can also carry sophisticated high-resolution sensors that offer impressive capabilities relative to the amount, resolution, persistence, and flexibility of remotely collected data for these challenging locations.