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Implementation of battlefield medicine drone systems in civilian medical support – conclusions from the MEWA MED project

The article presents an assessment of the feasibility of applying unmanned aerial systems (UAS) in rescue and logistical operations of civil emergency services, based on the results and experience of the military-based MEWA MED project. The case study covers three key operational domains: victim search, transport of medical materials, and support for casualty evacuation. It describes system architecture, the role of the command-and-control (C2) platform, the scope of conducted trials, and conclusions related to efficiency, technical limitations, costs, and implementation potential. Findings indicate that drone systems can significantly improve logistical processes, reduce delivery times of critical medical supplies, and enhance search-and-rescue operations in civilian environments.

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Keywords: UAV (UAS); medical logistics; medical transport; victim search; evacuation

References

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