摘要:Th is paper explores the directions for the application of unmanned aerial vehicles in the provision of security to vital elements of a country’s critical infrastructure.Th e analysis focuses on two paths of development: the fi rst one refers to the transportation system,the latter is related to the gas supply network – the basic components of a country’s critical infrastructure.Th e fi rst section of this paper will examine the current state of knowledge in the fi eld,and is designed as a reference of terminology pertaining to unmanned aerial vehicles (defi nitions and classifi cation).Th e section shall furthermore provide a basis for and a contribution to the developed conceptual-semantic framework for UAV research.Th e fi rst direction of development is described in terms of the characteristics and assumptions of the system;this includes an overview of the specifi c requirements of the unmanned platform itself,as well as the elements of the system,such as a local monitoring centre and other components.Furthermore,this section provides the overview of the designated mobile application,whose development is expected to improve the effi ciency of system operation,which is a conceptual novelty considering similar developments.Th e second direction concerns the development of an unmanned system of production,storage,and use of chemical and radioactive substances,including pipelines for hazardous substances.Th e programme that fi ts perfectly in the framework of the second considered branch of development is “Cricket” [Polish: “Świerszcz”] – a programme implemented in the periodic inspection of gas supply infrastructure.Th e description of the programme in question included specifying the technical and operational requirements for the fi ght devices as well as for the equipment.