UAS - Program Operational Use Cases

Power Line Inspection
& Vegetation Management

Drones facilitate rapid, comprehensive assessments of power lines and support structures without manual climbing. Their ability to cover vast distances quickly and capture detailed data from difficult-to-access areas enables safer, more frequent, and more thorough inspections.

Drones are also instrumental in right-of-way maintenance. Using multi-spectral imaging to monitor for vegetation encroachment and hazards, they ensure reliable utility infrastructure.

Application Examples:
• Conducting aerial mapping and surveying to assess line conditions
• Inspecting components like insulators and cotter pins without manual climbing
• Managing vegetation to prevent encroachment on power lines
• Assisting in line pulling operations
• Detecting corona discharge to prevent
equipment failure

Substation Inspection
& Asset Monitoring

Drones provide utilities with a safer, faster, and more reliable way to assess substation equipment. They conduct detailed inspections that reduce the need for manual climbs, lifts, and working in proximity to energized areas.

Beyond one-off inspections, drones enable ongoing monitoring to detect changes and support maintenance planning and compliance. They collect high-resolution data that leads to earlier identification of potential failures and better visibility into asset health.

Application Examples:
• Conducting detailed inspections of complex components
• Identifying hot spots and defects
• Providing security surveillance
• Accessing hard-to-reach or energized areas
• Identifying damage or safety concerns after storms

Confined Space &
Structural Inspection

Autonomous systems navigate dangerous and confined areas without compromising safety, delivering high quality data that can inform maintenance decisions and operational improvements.

They also survey vast, often inaccessible areas to deliver critical information on infrastructure integrity, potential leaks, and environmental compliance issues. This improves operational safety while supporting proactive maintenance and emergency response efforts.

Robotic or non-GPS platforms may be required in enclosed or signal-restricted environments.

Application Examples:
• Conducting inspections in dangerous or hard-to-reach areas
• Performing confined space inspections to avoid human entry
• Conducting industrial inspections of pipelines, wells, and platforms
• Surveying and mapping large areas for exploration and monitoring
• Supporting emergency response efforts with aerial surveillance
• Detecting leaks, corrosion, and structural anomalies

Storm Damage Assessment &
Emergency Response

Drones play a critical role in disaster response by providing rapid, flexible, and comprehensive assessments of affected areas. They facilitate the delivery of essential supplies, support search-and rescue operations, and enhance the coordination of recovery efforts.

By leveraging unmanned autonomous technology, disaster response teams can quickly understand the scope of damage, prioritize resources, and implement effective recovery strategies.

Rapid deployment should still align with airspace authorization and documentation requirements.

Application Examples:
• Performing post-storm assessments to prioritize repairs
• Delivering essential supplies to inaccessible areas
• Conducting search and rescue operations in challenging terrains
• Inspecting infrastructure and creating recovery plans
• Conducting environmental monitoring and disaster impact analysis

Utility and Co-op Safety
& Risk Mitigation

Working on generation, transmission, and distribution systems is costly, complex, and highly dangerous. Drones enable utilities and co-ops to conduct cost effective, efficient inspections and evaluations while minimizing health and safety risks to personnel.

Applications such as thermal imaging, drone mapping, and geospatial technologies are increasingly important for maintaining the reliability and integrity of the power grids.

Application Examples:
• Eliminating the need for workers to physically access high-risk areas
• Conducting thorough inspections of vast network infrastructures for faster identification and resolution of issues
• Assessing site conditions in advance to flag issues or risks
• Delivering high-resolution data for precise condition assessment and informed decision-making
• Conducting overhead inspections without disturbing the ground below

Renewables
Inspection

Drones maintain optimal solar and wind production with a perspective unmatched by ground-based inspections.

On solar farms, aerial drones inspect vast arrays of photovoltaic panels, efficiently identifying panel defects or damage to extend the lifespan of solar installations. The wind sector benefits from drones by eliminating the need for manual climbing during turbine inspections, reducing the risk of accidents and facilitating more frequent inspections.

Thermal data consistency and repeatable flight patterns support longitudinal performance analysis.

Application Examples:
• Mapping and surveying solar farms to assess panel conditions
• Using thermal imaging to identify defective or underperforming panels
• Inspecting panels for damage after severe
weather events
• Inspecting turbine blades for wear, damage, or inefficiencies
• Performing confined space inspections inside turbine housings
• Avoiding the need for rope access or manual climbing

FAQ Section

Frequently Asked Questions

What types of drones does Gresco UAS offer?

Gresco UAS provides multirotor and fixed-wing drones for inspection, mapping, and surveying. Multirotor systems are ideal for close-range or vertical structure work, while fixed-wing models cover larger areas efficiently. Each platform is selected for reliability, accuracy, and compatibility with existing operational workflows.

Does Gresco UAS offer NDAA-compliant drones?

Yes, Gresco UAS provides a selection of NDAA-compliant and Blue UAS-approved systems that meet federal security and procurement standards. These options are suited for utilities, cooperatives, and critical infrastructure organizations that must meet compliance requirements. Our team helps identify the right platforms based on operational and regulatory needs.

What sensors and payloads are available?

Gresco UAS offers a range of interchangeable payloads to meet different inspection and data requirements:

RGB and zoom cameras for visual and structural inspections
Thermal and radiometric sensors for identifying heat loss, faults, or energy anomalies
LiDAR systems for precision mapping and terrain modeling
Multispectral and hyperspectral sensors for vegetation and environmental analysis

Each payload is recommended based on the customer’s specific data goals and asset types.

How accurate is drone mapping?

Drone mapping can achieve centimeter-level accuracy when combined with ground control points (GCPs) or RTK/PPK correction. For many inspection and planning applications, drones deliver faster results with the precision required for engineering and maintenance decisions, while reducing the need for manual field time.

How long can the drones offered through Gresco UAS fly?

Flight time depends on the platform and payload. Multirotor systems typically operate 25 to 45 minutes per flight, while fixed-wing models can exceed one hour. Gresco UAS works with customers to balance endurance, payload, and environmental conditions for optimal mission performance.

Can the drones that Gresco UAS provides operate in adverse weather?

Most enterprise-level systems tolerate moderate wind and light rain, but conditions such as heavy rain, dust, or extreme heat can reduce efficiency. Gresco UAS assists customers in selecting aircraft with appropriate Ingress Protection (IP) ratings and weather resistance for their environment.

What software platforms integrate with the systems offered through Gresco UAS?

The systems offered through Gresco UAS integrate with leading flight planning, data management, and mapping platforms used in the utility and infrastructure sectors. Our team supports customers in connecting drone data with GIS, asset management, and maintenance systems for a seamless data workflow.

What industries benefit from drone and robotics technology?

While utilities and energy providers were early adopters, many other sectors use the same technology to solve similar challenges:

Telecommunications for tower and fiber inspections
Transportation and infrastructure for bridge and roadway assessments
Construction and engineering for progress tracking and volume measurement
Environmental and municipal agencies for mapping and compliance inspections
Industrial facilities for confined-space and hazardous-area assessments

Across these sectors, organizations use aerial and ground robotics to improve safety, reduce field time, and capture higher-quality data for decision-making.

Why partner with Gresco UAS for drone and robotics technology?

We combine proven equipment with ongoing support and field experience. Gresco UAS supplies trusted brands backed by training, repair, and warranty coordination. Our goal is to support technology that performs reliably and integrates into daily operations, allowing customers to improve safety, efficiency, and data quality.

What types of ground-based robotic systems does Gresco UAS provide?

Gresco UAS offers ground robotics designed for inspection, data collection, and operational support in environments that are difficult or unsafe for personnel to access. These systems include legged robots and tracked platforms that can navigate industrial facilities, utility vaults, substations, and confined spaces. Each system is selected for its reliability, mobility, and ability to integrate sensors such as LiDAR, thermal, or visual cameras.

What are typical use cases for ground robotics in utility and infrastructure work?

Ground robotics are used for confined-space inspections, remote monitoring, and data collection where human entry is limited by safety or accessibility concerns. Utilities and industrial teams use these platforms to inspect vaults, tunnels, substations, and other hazardous environments. Robotics can also support asset documentation and routine condition assessments.

What types of aquatic or marine systems are available through Gresco UAS?

Gresco UAS provides aquatic and submersible robotic systems used for monitoring reservoirs, inspecting water intakes, and assessing underwater or partially submerged structures. These platforms are designed to capture accurate visual and environmental data while operating safely in variable water conditions.

How are aquatic systems used in utility or renewable operations?

Aquatic robotics support hydroelectric facilities, water utilities, and environmental monitoring programs. They collect imagery, temperature, and depth data to assess structural integrity, sediment buildup, and underwater assets. These systems reduce the need for manual dives and improve inspection consistency over time.

What types of aquatic or marine systems are available through Gresco UAS?

How are aquatic systems used in utility or renewable operations?

Do ground and aquatic systems use the same software as aerial platforms?

In many cases, yes, ground and aquatic systems use the same software as aerial platforms. Gresco UAS assists customers in integrating ground and aquatic data into the same mapping, analytics, and asset management tools used for aerial systems. This creates a unified workflow for inspection data, documentation, and reporting across multiple environments.

Why include robotics and aquatic systems alongside drones?

Utilities, energy providers, and infrastructure managers often need to capture data from air, land, and water environments. Combining these tools creates a complete operational picture that improves safety, efficiency, and asset insight. Gresco UAS helps organizations identify which technologies best fit their inspection and data management needs.