On the use of unmanned aerial vehicles for high-precision measurements of the Earth’s magnetic field

A brief account of the evolution of Russian airborne geomagnetics is given. It is shown that the development of aeromagnetic systems based on unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) is of great interest. This paper presents theoretical and experimental data that concern the development of the optimal UAV layout in order to create a UAV-based aeromagnetic survey system using a new-generation optically pumped quantum rubidium aeromagnetometer. The new UAV-based aeromagnetic system is planned for use for high-precision aeromagnetic surveying at low altitude (30 m and more) for geological, engineering, and environmental applications.