One use for pilotless drones could be to provide lifesaving data and communications links after a natural disaster. A circling drone could serve as a sort of temporary AWACS platform, beaming WiFi and cell phone coverage down on an area stricken by downed powerlines and damaged cell towers.
After the devastation of Hurricane Sandy, for example, an estimated 20 percent of the cell towers serving 10 states were disabled. Thousands were left without phone service at a critical time. In some cases, 911 emergency service was also put out of action when it could least afford the interruption.
