In 2024, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) National Uncrewed Systems Office (NUSO) provided technical support to the National Park Service in assessing road damage and landslide hazards along the Blue Ridge Parkway following Hurricane Helene.
NUSO Team
National Uncrewed Systems Office (NUSO)
Science and Products
NUSO Research Missions
Research missions, often performed in cooperation with other DOI bureaus as well as non-DOI collaborators, serve as vital tools in the ongoing evaluation and integration activities that support the strategic implementation of UAS into the USGS and the DOI.
NUSO Research Activities
Ongoing research efforts focus on the platform evaluation, sensor integration, technique development and data assessment activities needed to support the USGS’s and the DOI’s strategic implementation of UAS.
UAS Supports Science
UAS data collection plays a vital role supporting the studies needed to create the scientific foundation that policymakers, natural resource managers, and the public need to make informed decisions about the management of the natural and cultural resources on which they and others depend.
National Uncrewed Systems Office
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.
Lidar point cloud both with and without vegetation-classified points
In 2024, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) National Uncrewed Systems Office (NUSO) provided technical support to the National Park Service in assessing road damage and landslide hazards along the Blue Ridge Parkway following Hurricane Helene.
Using uncrewed aircraft in landslide assessment
The Blue Ridge Parkway is renowned for its winding path through the rugged Appalachian Mountains. The steep terrain and dense forests make for scenic views but also create a challenging environment for drone operations. U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) remote pilots seek out open areas from which to conduct flights to enable good visibility of their surroundings.
The Blue Ridge Parkway is renowned for its winding path through the rugged Appalachian Mountains. The steep terrain and dense forests make for scenic views but also create a challenging environment for drone operations. U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) remote pilots seek out open areas from which to conduct flights to enable good visibility of their surroundings.
Assessing road damage caused by Hurricane Helene
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) employs a range of drone technologies for data collection in science, mapping, and monitoring.
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) employs a range of drone technologies for data collection in science, mapping, and monitoring.
Uncrewed aircraft pilots at the Tanbark Ridge Overlook
U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) remote pilots Joe Adams and Matthew Burgess prepare to conduct drone flights at the Tanbark Ridge Overlook along the Blue Ridge Parkway in North Carolina.
U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) remote pilots Joe Adams and Matthew Burgess prepare to conduct drone flights at the Tanbark Ridge Overlook along the Blue Ridge Parkway in North Carolina.
Road damaged by landslide
In September 2024, Hurricane Helene brought heavy rain and powerful winds, resulting in multiple landslides along the iconic Blue Ridge Parkway. The National Park Service requested technical assistance from the U.S.
In September 2024, Hurricane Helene brought heavy rain and powerful winds, resulting in multiple landslides along the iconic Blue Ridge Parkway. The National Park Service requested technical assistance from the U.S.
National Uncrewed Systems Office - Who We Are
Collage of photographs of the researchers in the National Uncrewed Systems Office (NUSO) showing Who We Are
Top Row:
Mark Bauer, Victoria Scholl, Joe Adams, Jill Cress, and Matt Burgess (left)
Todd Burton (middle)
Victoria Scholl (right)
Collage of photographs of the researchers in the National Uncrewed Systems Office (NUSO) showing Who We Are
Top Row:
Mark Bauer, Victoria Scholl, Joe Adams, Jill Cress, and Matt Burgess (left)
Todd Burton (middle)
Victoria Scholl (right)
National Uncrewed Systems Office - What We Do
Collage of photographs taken during various research missions performed by the National Uncrewed Systems Office (NUSO) representing What We Do
Collage of photographs taken during various research missions performed by the National Uncrewed Systems Office (NUSO) representing What We Do
Science and Products
NUSO Research Missions
Research missions, often performed in cooperation with other DOI bureaus as well as non-DOI collaborators, serve as vital tools in the ongoing evaluation and integration activities that support the strategic implementation of UAS into the USGS and the DOI.
NUSO Research Activities
Ongoing research efforts focus on the platform evaluation, sensor integration, technique development and data assessment activities needed to support the USGS’s and the DOI’s strategic implementation of UAS.
UAS Supports Science
UAS data collection plays a vital role supporting the studies needed to create the scientific foundation that policymakers, natural resource managers, and the public need to make informed decisions about the management of the natural and cultural resources on which they and others depend.
National Uncrewed Systems Office
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.
Lidar point cloud both with and without vegetation-classified points
In 2024, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) National Uncrewed Systems Office (NUSO) provided technical support to the National Park Service in assessing road damage and landslide hazards along the Blue Ridge Parkway following Hurricane Helene.
In 2024, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) National Uncrewed Systems Office (NUSO) provided technical support to the National Park Service in assessing road damage and landslide hazards along the Blue Ridge Parkway following Hurricane Helene.
Using uncrewed aircraft in landslide assessment
The Blue Ridge Parkway is renowned for its winding path through the rugged Appalachian Mountains. The steep terrain and dense forests make for scenic views but also create a challenging environment for drone operations. U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) remote pilots seek out open areas from which to conduct flights to enable good visibility of their surroundings.
The Blue Ridge Parkway is renowned for its winding path through the rugged Appalachian Mountains. The steep terrain and dense forests make for scenic views but also create a challenging environment for drone operations. U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) remote pilots seek out open areas from which to conduct flights to enable good visibility of their surroundings.
Assessing road damage caused by Hurricane Helene
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) employs a range of drone technologies for data collection in science, mapping, and monitoring.
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) employs a range of drone technologies for data collection in science, mapping, and monitoring.
Uncrewed aircraft pilots at the Tanbark Ridge Overlook
U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) remote pilots Joe Adams and Matthew Burgess prepare to conduct drone flights at the Tanbark Ridge Overlook along the Blue Ridge Parkway in North Carolina.
U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) remote pilots Joe Adams and Matthew Burgess prepare to conduct drone flights at the Tanbark Ridge Overlook along the Blue Ridge Parkway in North Carolina.
Road damaged by landslide
In September 2024, Hurricane Helene brought heavy rain and powerful winds, resulting in multiple landslides along the iconic Blue Ridge Parkway. The National Park Service requested technical assistance from the U.S.
In September 2024, Hurricane Helene brought heavy rain and powerful winds, resulting in multiple landslides along the iconic Blue Ridge Parkway. The National Park Service requested technical assistance from the U.S.
National Uncrewed Systems Office - Who We Are
Collage of photographs of the researchers in the National Uncrewed Systems Office (NUSO) showing Who We Are
Top Row:
Mark Bauer, Victoria Scholl, Joe Adams, Jill Cress, and Matt Burgess (left)
Todd Burton (middle)
Victoria Scholl (right)
Collage of photographs of the researchers in the National Uncrewed Systems Office (NUSO) showing Who We Are
Top Row:
Mark Bauer, Victoria Scholl, Joe Adams, Jill Cress, and Matt Burgess (left)
Todd Burton (middle)
Victoria Scholl (right)
National Uncrewed Systems Office - What We Do
Collage of photographs taken during various research missions performed by the National Uncrewed Systems Office (NUSO) representing What We Do
Collage of photographs taken during various research missions performed by the National Uncrewed Systems Office (NUSO) representing What We Do