ASTM F3262-17

• Abstract:

  SIGNIFICANCE AND USE; 4.1 This standard may be used to classify sUAS resources utilized for land search and rescue. ; 4.2 Classification of sUAS land search and rescue resources is based upon the complete sUAS including payload, communications systems. ; 4.2.1 This classification identifies the mechanical features of the sUAS platform and does not account for the pilot's/operator's skill in performing specific tasks. ; 4.3 UAS land search and rescue resources are classified by Category, Kind, and Type. ; 4.4 A sUAS land search and rescue resource may be more than one Category. ; 4.5 A sUAS land search and rescue resource may be more than one Kind. ; 4.6 A particular Kind of sUAS land search and rescue resource can only be one Type for a given Category or Kind.; SCOPE; 1.1 This classification defines small Unmanned Aircraft System (sUAS) land search and rescue resources in terms of their capabilities. ; 1.1.1 This classification is not intended to classify small UAS utilized in urban search and rescue. ; 1.1.2 This classification is not intended to classify small UAS utilized in disaster response. ; 1.2 The classifications in this standard are intended to aid emergency managers ordering resources for search and rescue incidents. These classifications provide a means by which resource managers and sUAS pilots/operators can convey to emergency management the tasks for which their systems are capable of performing. ; 1.2.1 This classification is designed for incidents at the local and state level and is not intended to encompass federal or military resources. ; 1.3 This classification does not define standards of performance or training for sUAS systems and operators engaged in search and rescue. ; 1.3.1 Guides that address the general airworthiness of sUAS systems are under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee F38 on Unmanned Aircraft Systems and are the direct responsibility of Subcommittee F38.01 on Airworthiness. ; 1.3.2 Guides that address the general flight operations of sUAS systems are under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee F38 on Unmanned Aircraft Systems and are the direct responsibility of Subcommittee F38.02 on Flight Operations. ; 1.3.3 Guides that address the general training, qualifications, and certifications of sUAS personnel are under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee F38 on Unmanned Aircraft Systems and are the direct responsibility of Subcommittee F38.03 on Personnel Training, Qualification and Certification. ; 1.3.4 Guides that specifically address sUAS standards for personnel training and operations in the specific attributes for land search and rescue will fall under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee F32 on Search and Rescue and will remain compliant with those standards prepared by ASTM Committee F38 on Unmanned Aircraft Systems. ; 1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use. ; 1.5 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 31-May-2017
• ICS: 49.020 - Aircraft and space vehicles in general
• Technical Committee: F32 - Search and Rescue
• Drafting Committee: F32.01 - Equipment, Testing, and Maintenance

• Refers: ASTM F3222-16 - Standard Terminology Relating to F32 Land Search and Rescue Standards and Guides
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2016

Overview

ASTM F3262-17 - Standard Classification System for Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems (sUASs) for Land Search and Rescue - establishes a comprehensive framework for classifying sUAS resources utilized in land search and rescue operations. Developed by ASTM International, this standard aids emergency managers, resource managers, and sUAS operators in communicating the operational capabilities of sUAS assets for local and state-level incidents. The intent of this classification system is to streamline resource allocation and ensure that the best-suited sUAS resources are deployed for specific land-based search and rescue tasks.

This standard focuses exclusively on small Unmanned Aircraft Systems involved in land search and rescue-not urban search and rescue or disaster response. It does not establish training, performance, or operational requirements, but rather provides a reliable method for classifying sUAS resources by their mechanical and payload capabilities.

Key Topics

• Classification System: sUAS resources are organized by Category, Kind, and Type, providing a detailed structure for specifying capabilities:

  • Category: The primary task (e.g., Search, Rescue, Overhead, Communications) an sUAS is capable of supporting.
  • Kind: A finer distinction within a Category, identifying specific capabilities (e.g., types of search methods, payload delivery techniques).
  • Type: The essential characteristics defining the sUAS’ operational capability within a Kind, such as flight time, platform type (VTOL, STOL, CTOL), or payload operation.

• sUAS Features Considered:

  • Payloads (such as cameras, sensors, or beacons)
  • Communications systems
  • Platform mechanical features (e.g., VTOL, STOL, CTOL)

• Capabilities Identified:

  • Real-time or delayed video/image transmission
  • Payload delivery (precision or fly-by)
  • Search via radio frequency detection
  • Communications enhancement (radio relay, visual/audio links)
  • Overhead situational awareness (e.g., remote sensing, GIS imaging)
  • Attractant or containment payloads for guiding missing persons

• Scope and Limitations:

  • Not applicable to urban search and rescue or large-scale disaster response
  • Not a performance or training standard
  • Not intended for federal or military sUAS resources

Applications

• Emergency Management: Facilitates rapid assessment and deployment of suitable sUAS assets for land search and rescue missions, leveraging the clear classification to match task requirements to sUAS capabilities.
• Resource Typing and Ordering: Enables resource managers to accurately request and track sUAS resources that meet specific operational needs during an incident, optimizing efficiency and reducing response times.
• sUAS Operator Communication: Improves communication between sUAS operators and emergency personnel by standardizing terminology and clarifying functional capabilities.
• Strategic Planning: Supports local and state agencies in inventory management and operational planning by providing a nationally recognized structure for cataloging sUAS assets.

Related Standards

• ASTM F3222: Terminology Relating to F32 Land Search and Rescue Standards and Guides
• Standards by ASTM Committee F38: Guides for airworthiness, flight operations, and personnel training, qualification, and certification for unmanned aircraft systems.
• ASTM F32: Committee overseeing search and rescue equipment, testing, and maintenance, ensuring compliance for land search and rescue operations.

Keywords: sUAS classification, ASTM F3262, land search and rescue, resource typing, incident command, unmanned aircraft systems, emergency management, payload capability, platform specification

ASTM F3262-17 supports the efficient, effective use of small Unmanned Aircraft Systems in critical land search and rescue operations by providing a clear, standardized method to classify and communicate sUAS resource capabilities.

This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
Designation: F3262 −17
Standard Classification System for
Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems (sUASs) for Land Search
and Rescue
This standard is issued under the fixed designation F3262; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope land search and rescue will fall under the jurisdiction ofASTM
Committee F32 on Search and Rescue and will remain com-
1.1 This classification defines small Unmanned Aircraft
pliant with those standards prepared byASTM Committee F38
System (sUAS) land search and rescue resources in terms of
on Unmanned Aircraft Systems.
their capabilities.
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the
1.1.1 This classification is not intended to classify small
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
UAS utilized in urban search and rescue.
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
1.1.2 This classification is not intended to classify small
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
UAS utilized in disaster response.
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
1.2 The classifications in this standard are intended to aid
1.5 This international standard was developed in accor-
emergency managers ordering resources for search and rescue
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
incidents. These classifications provide a means by which
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
resource managers and sUAS pilots/operators can convey to
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
emergency management the tasks for which their systems are
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
capable of performing.
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
1.2.1 Thisclassificationisdesignedforincidentsatthelocal
and state level and is not intended to encompass federal or
2. Referenced Documents
military resources.
2.1 ASTM Standards:
1.3 This classification does not define standards of perfor-
F3222 Terminology Relating to F32 Land Search and Res-
mance or training for sUAS systems and operators engaged in
cue Standards and Guides
search and rescue.
1.3.1 Guides that address the general airworthiness of sUAS
3. Terminology
systems are under the jurisdiction ofASTM Committee F38 on
3.1 Definitions:
UnmannedAircraft Systems and are the direct responsibility of
3.1.1 For definitions of terms used in this classification,
Subcommittee F38.01 on Airworthiness.
refer to Terminology F3222.
1.3.2 Guides that address the general flight operations of
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
sUAS systems are under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee
3.2.1 CTOL, n—sUAS capable of conventional takeoff and
F38 on Unmanned Aircraft Systems and are the direct respon-
landing.
sibility of Subcommittee F38.02 on Flight Operations.
3.2.2 STOL, n—sUAS requiring short runway requirements
1.3.3 Guides that address the general training,
for takeoff and landing.
qualifications, and certifications of sUAS personnel are under
the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee F38 on Unmanned
3.2.3 VTOL, n—sUAS that can hover, takeoff, and land
Aircraft Systems and are the direct responsibility of Subcom-
vertically.
mittee F38.03 on Personnel Training, Qualification and Certi-
3.2.4 category, n—specific task for which a sUAS land
fication.
search and rescue resource is capable.
1.3.4 Guides that specifically address sUAS standards for
3.2.5 kind, n—subset of some sUAS land search and rescue
personnel training and operations in the specific attributes for
resource categories.
This classification is under the jurisdiction ofASTM Committee F32 on Search
and Rescue and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee F32.01 on Equipment, For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
Testing, and Maintenance. contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
Current edition approved June 1, 2017. Published July 2017. DOI: 10.1520/ Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
F3262-17. the ASTM website.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
F3262 − 17
3.2.6 type, n—basal characteristic that generally identifies 6.2.1.4 Delayed Stills—Capable of delivering recorded pho-
the capabilities for a sUAS in a given category for land search tographic data in one or more regions of the electromagnetic
and rescue. spectrum (may include, for example, infrared, visible, or
ultra-violet).
4. Significance and Use
6.2.2 Radio Frequency Search:
4.1 This standard may be used to classify sUAS resources
6.2.2.1 Cellular devices.
utilized for land search and rescue.
6.2.2.2 802.11 (WiFi) network devices Wifi.
6.2.2.3 Family Radio Service devices.
4.2 Classification of sUAS land search and rescue resources
6.2.2.4 Avalanche beacon.
is based upon the complete sUAS including payload, commu-
6.2.2.5 ELT/EPIRB/PLB frequency of 121.5 MHz.
nications systems.
4.2.1 Th
...