The utilization of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) in defense for functions, such as delivery and surveillance, has surged due to the fast progress of technology. UAV tracking and navigation system optimization is critical as UAV operations become more complicated. Quantum computing (QC) can significantly improve optimization procedures for real-time tracking, overcoming computational challenges and enhancing efficiency in UAV operations by handling large amounts of data. The study’s objective is to establish how QC performs in the optimization of UAV tracking. A novel Dynamic Kookaburra-tuned Malleable Convolutional Neural Network (DK-MCNN) is proposed to improve the tracking performance of UAVs. The data collected from video feeds from cameras mounted on UAVs, readings from GPS and other sensors outlining the specific paths and maneuvers the UAV will perform, ensuring diverse scenarios, including various terrains and environments. The data preprocessed using data cleaning and normalization involve removing erroneous or redundant data to ensure high-quality datasets. The study specifically focuses on leveraging QC into UAV tracking systems and promises to enhance performance, including speed, optimization, data handling and robustness. This technology has the potential to transform UAV operations, making them more efficient, reliable and capable of handling complex tasks in dynamic environments. The study evaluates the tracking accuracy, computational efficiency and resilience of the proposed method compared to traditional approaches across a range of operating situations. Extensive simulations of several tracking scenarios, encompassing urban, rural and disaster response situations, are employed to assess the efficacy of UAVs in monitoring and navigating across dynamic terrain. The outcomes illustrate the potential for real-time applications in UAV systems, by showing that the suggested technique dramatically decreases processing time and improves tracking accuracy, when compared to conventional algorithms.
The utilization of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) in defense for functions, such as delivery and surveillance, has surged due to the fast progress of technology. UAV tracking and navigation system optimization is critical as UAV operations become more complicated. Quantum computing (QC) can significantly improve optimization procedures for real-time tracking, overcoming computational challenges and enhancing efficiency in UAV operations by handling large amounts of data. The study’s objective is to establish how QC performs in the optimization of UAV tracking. A novel Dynamic Kookaburra-tuned Malleable Convolutional Neural Network (DK-MCNN) is proposed to improve the tracking performance of UAVs. The data collected from video feeds from cameras mounted on UAVs, readings from GPS and other sensors outlining the specific paths and maneuvers the UAV will perform, ensuring diverse scenarios, including various terrains and environments. The data preprocessed using data cleaning and normalization involve removing erroneous or redundant data to ensure high-quality datasets. The study specifically focuses on leveraging QC into UAV tracking systems and promises to enhance performance, including speed, optimization, data handling and robustness. This technology has the potential to transform UAV operations, making them more efficient, reliable and capable of handling complex tasks in dynamic environments. The study evaluates the tracking accuracy, computational efficiency and resilience of the proposed method compared to traditional approaches across a range of operating situations. Extensive simulations of several tracking scenarios, encompassing urban, rural and disaster response situations, are employed to assess the efficacy of UAVs in monitoring and navigating across dynamic terrain. The outcomes illustrate the potential for real-time applications in UAV systems, by showing that the suggested technique dramatically decreases processing time and improves tracking accuracy, when compared to conventional algorithms.
The increasing demands for ultra-reliable low-latency communication (URLLC), high-capacity, connectivity, and mobility in next-generation wireless networks have driven the integration of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) as flexible and adaptive communication nodes. UAV-assisted networks offer enhanced coverage, dynamic deployment, and cost-effective infrastructure for the sixth generation (6G) and beyond. However, optimizing UAV trajectory planning, resource allocation, and interference management is particularly challenging, especially in dynamic and large-scale environments. Classical reinforcement learning (RL) techniques, while effective in adaptive optimization, suffer from computational inefficiencies and slow convergence in high-dimensional state-action spaces. To address these constraints, quantum reinforcement learning (QRL) emerges as a novel paradigm that leverages quantum computing principles, such as superposition and entanglement, to enhance decision-making efficiency. This study provides a comprehensive overview of QRL algorithms and investigates their transformative potential in UAV-assisted wireless communication networks. We analyze UAV deployment strategies, network architectures, and topologies, highlighting their advantages as well as inherent challenges. Furthermore, we examine the limitations of classical RL algorithms and assess how QRL overcomes them while improving computational efficiency and exploration capabilities. In addition, we present a detailed review of existing QRL algorithms applicable to next-generation UAV-enhanced wireless networks, identifying key challenges that must be addressed for practical deployment. Finally, we identify open research challenges and offer future directions for integrating QRL into UAV-assisted communication, paving the way for scalable, intelligent, and high-performance wireless systems.
This chapter explores the emerging field of quantum-enhanced predictive maintenance for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). Traditional maintenance techniques, while valuable, have limitations that hinder optimal UAV performance. This chapter discusses these limitations and introduces quantum computing as a potential solution. Quantum algorithms can analyze vast datasets from UAV sensors, identifying subtle anomalies that predict failures before they occur. The chapter explores how this can improve battery health prediction, enable early detection of motor faults, and ensure the overall safety and reliability of UAV operations. Challenges associated with integrating quantum technology are addressed, along with the exciting future this holds for the UAV industry. By harnessing the power of quantum computing, UAV maintenance can become more proactive, efficient, and cost-effective, paving the way for a new era of reliable and safe UAV operations.
In recent years, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) have proven their effectiveness in surveillance due to their superior mobility. By utilizing multiple UAVs with collaborated learning, surveillance of a huge area while consuming minimum resources is possible. However, the performance of UAV collaborative learning systems is still severely limited because the number of parameters in a classical NN is generally very large, which is unsuitable for unstable wireless communication. To address this issue, this paper uses a quantum neural network (QNN), which has large computational capabilities and uses fewer parameters to overcome the problems caused by many parameters. However, it is still difficult to send all the parameters of the QNN to the server under poor channel conditions. Therefore, this paper proposes dynamic quantum federated learning (DQFL), a novel framework designed for UAVs employing quantum computing (QC) and federated learning (FL). The proposed DQFL uses a dynamic quantum neural network (DQNN) with a multi-depth circuit and employs dynamic control of the circuit layer to improve the efficiency of local parameter transmission between UAVs in unstable wireless communication environments. Extensive simulations conducted under real-world autonomous surveillance conditions demonstrate the robustness of DQFL to non-iidness, varying signal-to-noise ratios (SNRs), and poor communication channel conditions in the UAV environment.
An intelligent adaptation technique is necessary due to the complexity and unpredictability of the air space, and autonomous unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) navigation uses quantum reinforcement learning (QRL) as an advanced control mechanism. This work suggests quantum-inspired encoding and optimization algorithms for policy learning in order to overcome the shortcomings in efficiency and scalability of conventional and deep reinforcement learning approaches. The technique employs quantum-parametric policy optimization on a hybrid quantum-classical architecture after forming UAV navigation as a Markov Decision Process and adding quantum amplitude encoding. Dynamic obstacle and random wind disturbance experiments will be carried out in a high-fidelity 3D simulation environment. QRL has decreased energy usage by up to 17% and increased the top classical RL baseline's convergence speed by 40%. Even in inclement weather, the success rate remains around 95%, and the minimum obstacle clearance never falls below 1.8 meters. Analysis shows that QRL yields safer, more robust and sample-efficient policies that are better at generalizing to unseen maps and disturbance-heavy environments. Based on the above results, the technical feasibility and engineering value of quantum-enhanced learning algorithms for robust UAV autonomous navigation have been demonstrated; thus, they can serve as a model for future intelligent aerial decision systems.
The combination of quantum computing, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), cybersecurity, and artificial intelligence (AI) ushers in a new era of safe and robust UAV networks. This chapter analyzes novel approaches that use quantum computing, AI, and cybersecurity principles to address the dynamic issues of UAV networks. Key target areas include quantum-resistant cryptographic algorithms, AI-driven threat detection and response systems, and UAV-specific secure communication protocols. These innovations reduce cyberrisks, protect data integrity, and increase the robustness of quantum-enabled UAV systems. The chapter illustrates enhanced threat detection, adaptive cybersecurity, and secure data transfer through the use of cutting-edge techniques, which raise operational effectiveness and mission success rates. With features including better data protection, reduced susceptibility to attacks, and AI-enhanced decision-making, resilient quantum UAV networks find applications in military, surveillance, disaster response, agriculture, and infrastructure monitoring. This chapter concludes by discussing the revolutionary potential of AI and quantum computing in UAV networks. It emphasizes the significance of proactive cybersecurity and AI-driven resilience in shaping the development of unmanned aerial systems, fostering innovation, and ensuring the safety of critical UAV operations.
Quantum based vehicle detection is the innovative integration of Quantum Machine Learning (QML) techniques with classical computer vision methods to enhance vehicle detection and speed tracking systems using OpenCV. Traditional approaches in vehicle detection and speed tracking are often hindered by computational inefficiencies and accuracy limitations in complex traffic scenarios. Our proposed hybrid quantum-classical framework aims to overcome these complications by exploiting the computational advantages of quantum computing. In this study, we employ Quantum Principal Component Analysis (QPCA) for feature extraction and data dimensionality reduction, optimizing the input data for improved processing efficiency. The core detection mechanism integrates Quantum Neural Networks (QNNs) with classical Convolutional Neural Networks (CNNs), enhancing the model’s accuracy in identifying vehicles within video frames. For speed tracking, we apply quantum optimization techniques to refine the tracking of vehicle positions across consecutive frames, ensuring precise speed calculation. Using OpenCV for real-time video processing and Qiskit for quantum computations, the findings from the experiments indicate significant improvements in both detection a precision, accuracy and computational efficiency. The hybrid quantum-classical model showcases the potential of quantum computing in advancing computer vision applications, particularly in intelligent transportation systems. This research highlights the transformative impact of QML techniques on practical applications and paves the way for further advancements in quantum-enhanced vehicle detection and speed tracking.