Mechanized Transport

<jats:title>Abstract</jats:title> <jats:p>This chapter reviews powered transport options used in search and rescue operations to improve efficiency and reduce rescuer fatigue. The chapter surveys ground rescue systems—wheeled litters, electric mountain bikes, off-road vehicles, and emerging unmanned ground vehicles—and over-snow vehicles such as snowcats and snowmobiles. Rescue watercraft (inflatable rescue boats and rigid hull inflatable boats) and air assets (unmanned aerial vehicles, unmanned aircraft systems, rotor-wing and fixed-wing aircraft, and electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft) are also described with operational strengths and limits. The chapter stresses equipment selection, inspection and maintenance, contingency planning, standard operating guidelines, and crew resource management. Practical considerations include battery and payload limitations; landing-zone constraints; night operation hazards; and communication interoperability to ensure safe, mission-appropriate mechanized transport.</jats:p>