Drone system with distributed basing

A method of operating a network of distributed bases for drones, comprising:

• a. basing a plurality of drones at a plurality of basing locations in an area;
• b. dispatching a first drone of the plurality of drones to a location of interest in the area from a first basing location of the plurality of basing locations that is closest to the location of interest;
• c. dispatching a second drone of the plurality of drones from a second basing location of the plurality of basing locations, the second basing location being farther from the location of interest than the first basing location;
• d. dispatching the second drone from the second basing location to a third basing location of the plurality of basing locations, wherein the third basing location is nearer the location of interest than the second basing location;
• and
• e. alternating the first and second drones at the location of interest such that one of the first or second drone is returned to the first or third basing location for charging, and the other of the first or second drone is dispatched to the location of interest;
• wherein the first and second drones collectively provide continuous monitoring of a designated target associated with the location of interest, with the second drone being pre-deployed to at least one of the second and third basing locations in accordance with motion information relating to the designated target;
• and
• wherein the second drone is dispatched from its current basing location before the first drone returns for charging, responsive to a determination that the first drone has reached an endurance threshold, in order for the first and second drones to collectively provide the continuous monitoring of the designated target.