Search and Rescue Drone Calculator
Calculate search area coverage, mission duration, and detection probability for SAR drone operations based on battery endurance, speed, sensor swath, and search pattern.
Inputs
Results
Total search area (sq mi)
1.33
Total search area (acres)853.3
Search rate (sq mi/hr)0.67
Total flight time (min)120
Mission duration (min)135
Linear miles searched44
Effective speed (mph)22
Probability of detection (%)63.2%
Visibility penalty (%)0%
Detection radius (ft)100
Pattern NameParallel Track
How to Use This Calculator
- Enter battery flight time (min), available battery count, and search cruise speed (mph).
- Set sensor swath width (ft) for your camera or thermal imager at planned altitude.
- Select search pattern type (square expanding, parallel track, or sector search).
- Enter visibility distance (miles) to account for detection range limitations.
- Review total searchable area (sq miles and acres), search rate (sq mi/hr), and estimated mission duration.
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