Key technologies and application progress of civil unmanned aerial vehicle

This paper presents a comprehensive review of the key technologies and recent developments in the field of Civil Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (CUAV), systematically analyzing the latest developments in flight platform technology, propulsion and energy technology, and navigation and control systems. Special attention is given to the performance characteristics and application scenarios of fixed-wing, multi-rotor, and composite flight platforms, as well as to the advantages and limitations of lithium-ion and hydrogen fuel cells in terms of endurance, and the role of multi-sensor data fusion algorithms in navigation and control. By examining practical cases from typical fields such as aerial photography, logistics, and agriculture, this paper summarizes current technological achievements and application trends. Furthermore, it analyzes challenges in areas such as regulations and airspace management, safety, and technical limitations, while proposing future directions including technology integration, quantum communication, bio-inspired drones, and privacy and data protection. The research indicates that with the deeper application of emerging technologies like artificial intelligence and quantum communication, CUAV will achieve new breakthroughs in intelligence, autonomy, and safety, providing strong technological support for low-altitude economy and smart society.