New Article: Spectrometer consistency testing supports flexible field data collection for drone vegetation mapping
New Article: Drone-based radiometric surveys provide high-resolution mine waste characterization
New research article: evaluating radiometric calibration and data quality of spectral UAS sensors
Using uncrewed aircraft systems to assess landslide damage after Hurricane Helene
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.
Technology Research
Research Missions
What We Do
We focus on the evaluation of new platforms, integration of new UAS-compatible sensors, development of data specifications and processing techniques, recommendations of UAS data acquisition best-practices, and operational support for new and existing DOI remote pilots.
Who We Are
We are a team of platform and UAS-compatible sensor subject matter experts that, in addition to research, provide operational support to DOI remote pilots and outreach to federal, public, and international audiences. Our office, established on May 8th, 2008, operates as part of the National Land Imaging Program, and contributes to its goal to provide the Federal Government and the public with the remotely sensed data and applications needed to support our Nation’s economic security and environmental vitality.
NUSO Research Missions
NUSO Research Activities
Products listed below were supported through the use of UAS technologies and resources at USGS.
Hyperspectral Uncrewed Aircraft Systems (UAS) Data Collected over Agricultural Crop Fields near Firebaugh, Central Valley, CA in August 2023 Hyperspectral Uncrewed Aircraft Systems (UAS) Data Collected over Agricultural Crop Fields near Firebaugh, Central Valley, CA in August 2023
Topographic data, aerial imagery, and GPS data collected during uncrewed aircraft system (UAS) operations at Laudholm Marsh, Wells, Maine, December 1, 2025 Topographic data, aerial imagery, and GPS data collected during uncrewed aircraft system (UAS) operations at Laudholm Marsh, Wells, Maine, December 1, 2025
Using uncrewed aerial systems (UAS) to survey fuel break conditions in sagebrush steppe near Arco, Idaho (June and July, 2024) Using uncrewed aerial systems (UAS) to survey fuel break conditions in sagebrush steppe near Arco, Idaho (June and July, 2024)
5 Hz data collected by the M600 sUAS platform, including measurements from GPS, OPLS, LIDAR range finder, and wind sensors, during Alaska CH4 measurement campaign 5 Hz data collected by the M600 sUAS platform, including measurements from GPS, OPLS, LIDAR range finder, and wind sensors, during Alaska CH4 measurement campaign
Radiometric data collected from an uncrewed airborne system and via walking surveys at mine waste sites in New Mexico, 2024 Radiometric data collected from an uncrewed airborne system and via walking surveys at mine waste sites in New Mexico, 2024
High resolution natural color imagery collected by uncrewed aircraft system (UAS) for mapping channel and vegetation change along a 7-mile reach of the Middle Green River at Horseshoe Bend near Jensen, Utah from 2024-2025 High resolution natural color imagery collected by uncrewed aircraft system (UAS) for mapping channel and vegetation change along a 7-mile reach of the Middle Green River at Horseshoe Bend near Jensen, Utah from 2024-2025
High resolution natural color imagery collected by uncrewed aircraft system (UAS) for mapping channel and vegetation change along a 6-mile reach of the Middle Green River at Ouray National Wildlife Refuge near Ouray, Utah from 2024-2025 High resolution natural color imagery collected by uncrewed aircraft system (UAS) for mapping channel and vegetation change along a 6-mile reach of the Middle Green River at Ouray National Wildlife Refuge near Ouray, Utah from 2024-2025
UAV Imagery and Topographic Data from Black Hollow 10 September 2025, upper Cache la Poudre River UAV Imagery and Topographic Data from Black Hollow 10 September 2025, upper Cache la Poudre River
Uncrewed Aerial System Digital Surface Model and Multispectral Footprints for the Rio De Las Vacas, New Mexico, USA, Summer 2025 Uncrewed Aerial System Digital Surface Model and Multispectral Footprints for the Rio De Las Vacas, New Mexico, USA, Summer 2025
Imagery of the Mauna Loa 2022 eruption acquired with uncrewed aircraft systems Imagery of the Mauna Loa 2022 eruption acquired with uncrewed aircraft systems
Topographic data, aerial imagery, and GPS data collected during uncrewed aircraft system (UAS) operations at Lower Darby Creek, Darby Township, Pennsylvania, March to August 2025 (ver. 2.0, September 2026) Topographic data, aerial imagery, and GPS data collected during uncrewed aircraft system (UAS) operations at Lower Darby Creek, Darby Township, Pennsylvania, March to August 2025 (ver. 2.0, September 2026)
Hyperspectral and Thermal Data Collected during Uncrewed Aircraft System (UAS) Operations near Moab, Utah in May 2025 Hyperspectral and Thermal Data Collected during Uncrewed Aircraft System (UAS) Operations near Moab, Utah in May 2025
Products listed below were supported through the use of UAS technologies and resources at USGS.
U.S. Geological Survey Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Roadmap 2014 U.S. Geological Survey Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Roadmap 2014
A methods framework for evaluating measurement consistency across spectrometers for multispectral uncrewed aerial system vegetation mapping applications A methods framework for evaluating measurement consistency across spectrometers for multispectral uncrewed aerial system vegetation mapping applications
Quantifying methane emissions from a rich fen with uncrewed aircraft systems in boreal Alaska Quantifying methane emissions from a rich fen with uncrewed aircraft systems in boreal Alaska
Developing a low-cost drone-based method for deploying and retrieving autonomous recording units in inaccessible areas Developing a low-cost drone-based method for deploying and retrieving autonomous recording units in inaccessible areas
Drought on the fly: UAS mapping of conifer drought stress Drought on the fly: UAS mapping of conifer drought stress
Quantifying southern sea otter (Enhydra lutris nereis) reactions to a quadcopter drone in central California Quantifying southern sea otter (Enhydra lutris nereis) reactions to a quadcopter drone in central California
Evaluating the use of uncrewed surface vessels to enhance Lake Erie acoustic prey-fish surveys Evaluating the use of uncrewed surface vessels to enhance Lake Erie acoustic prey-fish surveys
Development and field testing of a UAS-based software-defined radar for measuring freshwater bathymetry Development and field testing of a UAS-based software-defined radar for measuring freshwater bathymetry
Absolute radiometric calibration evaluation of Uncrewed Aerial System (UAS) Headwall and MicaSense sensors and improving data quality using the Empirical Line Method Absolute radiometric calibration evaluation of Uncrewed Aerial System (UAS) Headwall and MicaSense sensors and improving data quality using the Empirical Line Method
Exploring the use of non-invasive drone-based Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) to characterize biogenic gas dynamics in subtropical peat soils Exploring the use of non-invasive drone-based Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) to characterize biogenic gas dynamics in subtropical peat soils
Drone-based radiometric surveys provide high-resolution mine waste characterization Drone-based radiometric surveys provide high-resolution mine waste characterization
UAS and high-resolution satellite imagery improve the accuracy of cheatgrass detection across an invaded Yellowstone landscape UAS and high-resolution satellite imagery improve the accuracy of cheatgrass detection across an invaded Yellowstone landscape
UAS-based geomorphic change detection of incised montane meadow stream channels with low-tech process-based restoration treatments UAS-based geomorphic change detection of incised montane meadow stream channels with low-tech process-based restoration treatments
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.
Technology Research
Research Missions
What We Do
We focus on the evaluation of new platforms, integration of new UAS-compatible sensors, development of data specifications and processing techniques, recommendations of UAS data acquisition best-practices, and operational support for new and existing DOI remote pilots.
Who We Are
We are a team of platform and UAS-compatible sensor subject matter experts that, in addition to research, provide operational support to DOI remote pilots and outreach to federal, public, and international audiences. Our office, established on May 8th, 2008, operates as part of the National Land Imaging Program, and contributes to its goal to provide the Federal Government and the public with the remotely sensed data and applications needed to support our Nation’s economic security and environmental vitality.
NUSO Research Missions
NUSO Research Activities
Products listed below were supported through the use of UAS technologies and resources at USGS.
Hyperspectral Uncrewed Aircraft Systems (UAS) Data Collected over Agricultural Crop Fields near Firebaugh, Central Valley, CA in August 2023 Hyperspectral Uncrewed Aircraft Systems (UAS) Data Collected over Agricultural Crop Fields near Firebaugh, Central Valley, CA in August 2023
Topographic data, aerial imagery, and GPS data collected during uncrewed aircraft system (UAS) operations at Laudholm Marsh, Wells, Maine, December 1, 2025 Topographic data, aerial imagery, and GPS data collected during uncrewed aircraft system (UAS) operations at Laudholm Marsh, Wells, Maine, December 1, 2025
Using uncrewed aerial systems (UAS) to survey fuel break conditions in sagebrush steppe near Arco, Idaho (June and July, 2024) Using uncrewed aerial systems (UAS) to survey fuel break conditions in sagebrush steppe near Arco, Idaho (June and July, 2024)
5 Hz data collected by the M600 sUAS platform, including measurements from GPS, OPLS, LIDAR range finder, and wind sensors, during Alaska CH4 measurement campaign 5 Hz data collected by the M600 sUAS platform, including measurements from GPS, OPLS, LIDAR range finder, and wind sensors, during Alaska CH4 measurement campaign
Radiometric data collected from an uncrewed airborne system and via walking surveys at mine waste sites in New Mexico, 2024 Radiometric data collected from an uncrewed airborne system and via walking surveys at mine waste sites in New Mexico, 2024
High resolution natural color imagery collected by uncrewed aircraft system (UAS) for mapping channel and vegetation change along a 7-mile reach of the Middle Green River at Horseshoe Bend near Jensen, Utah from 2024-2025 High resolution natural color imagery collected by uncrewed aircraft system (UAS) for mapping channel and vegetation change along a 7-mile reach of the Middle Green River at Horseshoe Bend near Jensen, Utah from 2024-2025
High resolution natural color imagery collected by uncrewed aircraft system (UAS) for mapping channel and vegetation change along a 6-mile reach of the Middle Green River at Ouray National Wildlife Refuge near Ouray, Utah from 2024-2025 High resolution natural color imagery collected by uncrewed aircraft system (UAS) for mapping channel and vegetation change along a 6-mile reach of the Middle Green River at Ouray National Wildlife Refuge near Ouray, Utah from 2024-2025
UAV Imagery and Topographic Data from Black Hollow 10 September 2025, upper Cache la Poudre River UAV Imagery and Topographic Data from Black Hollow 10 September 2025, upper Cache la Poudre River
Uncrewed Aerial System Digital Surface Model and Multispectral Footprints for the Rio De Las Vacas, New Mexico, USA, Summer 2025 Uncrewed Aerial System Digital Surface Model and Multispectral Footprints for the Rio De Las Vacas, New Mexico, USA, Summer 2025
Imagery of the Mauna Loa 2022 eruption acquired with uncrewed aircraft systems Imagery of the Mauna Loa 2022 eruption acquired with uncrewed aircraft systems
Topographic data, aerial imagery, and GPS data collected during uncrewed aircraft system (UAS) operations at Lower Darby Creek, Darby Township, Pennsylvania, March to August 2025 (ver. 2.0, September 2026) Topographic data, aerial imagery, and GPS data collected during uncrewed aircraft system (UAS) operations at Lower Darby Creek, Darby Township, Pennsylvania, March to August 2025 (ver. 2.0, September 2026)
Hyperspectral and Thermal Data Collected during Uncrewed Aircraft System (UAS) Operations near Moab, Utah in May 2025 Hyperspectral and Thermal Data Collected during Uncrewed Aircraft System (UAS) Operations near Moab, Utah in May 2025
Products listed below were supported through the use of UAS technologies and resources at USGS.