Application of unmanned aerial systems for planning and economic assessment of development projects in the mountain territories

D.A. Grachev, D.V. Rybakov, V.V. Filatov, N.S. Akinshin, V.D. Kutkov
State University of Management, Moscow, Russian Federation
Russian Mining Industry №6/ 2025 p. 44-48

Abstract: This article proposes and justifies a system-based approach to managing the development of mountain territories based on implementation of the unmanned aerial systems. The relevance of transitioning from a conceptual description of the unmanned aerial systems capabilities to a practical toolkit for planning, multi-criteria evaluation, and economic justification of projects is established. The study aims to present a comprehensive methodology that allows the ‘competent customers’, such as the regional authorities and corporations, to make well-founded investment decisions regarding the use of unmanned aerial systems for solving social and economic problems in conditions of complex terrain and limited accessibility. The research is based on the ‘Scenario Requirements Life Cycle Model’ methodological framework, adapted for the specific features of mountain regions. The key instruments proposed include task formalization via a “Scenario Passport”, operational risk analysis, application of multi-criteria decision making for selecting the optimal class of unmanned aerial systems, and economic modeling based on the Total Cost of Ownership and the Net Benefit calculations. The results demonstrate the methodology application in practical cases, including emergency delivery of medications and infrastructure monitoring. It is concluded that the proposed approach serves as an effective strategic planning tool that reduces the risks of inefficient investment and contributes to the sustainable and economically viable development of mountain territories.

Keywords: mountain territories, sustainable development, unmanned aerial systems, scenario modeling, economic assessment, multi-criteria analysis, life cycle cost, decision support, competent customer

Acknowledgements: The research was funded by the Federal Budget (the budget owner is the Ministry of Education and Science of Russia) as part of the State Assignment for scientific research on the topic: "Development and justification of approaches to planning and implementing the introduction, deployment, and management of autonomous unmanned systems, robotic complexes, and infrastructure networks for communication, navigation, surveillance, and control that ensure the operation of such systems and complexes, with specified regulatory safety levels for flying and movement of the complexes, and the probability of performing their functional tasks" (research topic code FZNW-2023-0067). No additional grants have been received to conduct or supervise this specific research.

For citation: Grachev D.A., Rybakov D.V., Filatov V.V., Akinshin N.S., Kutkov V.D. Application of unmanned aerial systems for planning and economic assessment of development projects in the mountain territories. Russian Mining Industry. 2025;(6):44–48. (In Russ.) https://doi.org/10.30686/1609-9192-2025-6-44-48

Article info

Received: 06.09.2025

Revised: 27.10.2025

Accepted: 01.11.2025

Information about the authors

Dmitry A. Grachev – Research Associate of Center for Engineering Project Management, State University of Management, Moscow, Russian Federation; e-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Dmitry V. Rybakov – Research Associate of Center for Engineering Project Management, State University of Management, Moscow, Russian Federation; e-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Vladimir V. Filatov – Cand. Sci. (Eng.), Director of the Center for Engineering Project Management, State University of Management, Moscow, Russian Federation; e-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Nikita S. Akinshin – Postgraduate Student, Specialist at the Center for Engineering Project Management, State University of Management, Moscow, Russian Federation; e-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Vladimir D. Kutkov – Postgraduate Student, Specialist at the Center for Engineering Project Management, State University of Management, Moscow, Russian Federation; e-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

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