Unmanned Aerial Vehicle and Method of Operation

An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) apparatus comprising:

• a processor having addressable memory, wherein the processor is in communication with a power distributor, the processor configured to:
• switch off all systems on the UAV when the UAV is landed at an observation location except those necessary to generate and transmit observation data via the power distributor, wherein the UAV retains autonomous power-up capability;
• switch off power periodically from a battery of the UAV to an observation sensor via the power distributor to extend a stay at the observation location with a finite charge capacity of the battery;
• switch on power periodically from the battery of the UAV to the observation sensor via the power distributor;
• generate observation data from the observation location of one or more potential targets using an observation sensor of the UAV when power is periodically switched on from the battery of the UAV to the observation sensor;
• and
• transmit said generated observation data of the one or more potential targets to a transmitter for periodic transmission to a receiver external to the UAV.

An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), comprising:

• a processor having addressable memory, the processor configured to:
• switch off all systems on the UAV at an observation location except those necessary to generate and transmit observation data via a power distributor, wherein the power distributor is in communication with the processor of the UAV, and wherein the UAV retains autonomous power-up capability;
• switch off power periodically from a battery of the UAV to an observation sensor via the power distributor to extend a stay at the observation location with a finite charge capacity of the battery;
• switch on power periodically from the battery of the UAV to the observation sensor via the power distributor;
• generate observation data from the observation location of one or more potential targets using an observation sensor of the UAV when power is periodically switched on from the battery of the UAV to the observation sensor;
• and
• transmit said generated observation data of the one or more potential targets to a transmitter for periodic transmission to a receiver external to the UAV.