Non-Line-of-Sight (NLoS) Communication Strategies for UAV Networks

Dear Colleagues,

Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) have emerged as critical components in next-generation wireless communication infrastructures, supporting applications such as disaster response, smart cities, remote sensing, surveillance, and 5G/6G connectivity. However, reliable communication in UAV networks remains challenging due to dynamic mobility, intermittent connectivity, harsh propagation environments, and especially Non-Line-of-Sight (NLoS) conditions. NLoS scenarios often lead to severe signal degradation, latency, and link failure, undermining mission performance and safety.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) has shown great potential in predicting channel conditions, optimizing resource allocation, enabling autonomous decision-making, and enhancing adaptability in real time. Moreover, as UAVs increasingly operate in cooperative swarms and integrated networks, they become vulnerable to cyberattacks, spoofing, and malicious interference. Ensuring secure, trusted, and resilient communication—particularly under NLoS conditions—is crucial for the reliability of future intelligent aerial systems.

The networks face various challenges including maintenance of reliable connectivity in a highly mobile, a dynamic topology, and spectrum congestion-based environments. Further, there exist challenges including energy scarcity, need of efficient and secure trajectory and resource management. To cater to these challenges, there is need to focus upon machine learning, intelligent surface technologies, and secure protocols that can enable UAVs to operate more autonomously and efficiently within integrated wireless ecosystems. Thus, there is a need for interdisciplinary research that focuses on communication theory, control strategies, and cybersecurity especially to explore the full potential of UAV-based networks.

This research area is vital because it lies at the intersection of AI-driven communications, network resilience, and cybersecurity, enabling the development of next-generation UAV communication systems that are robust, autonomous, and capable of supporting critical missions in complex, dynamic environments.

The aim of this Special Issue is to bring together cutting-edge research on AI-enhanced, secure, and resilient communication strategies for multi-UAV networks operating in NLoS or challenging environments. We seek contributions that address the following topics:

AI-based channel modeling, prediction, and routing in NLoS scenarios.

Resilient and autonomous communication architectures.

Secure and trustworthy cooperation among UAV swarms.

Integration with heterogeneous networks while maintaining reliability and security.

This Special Issue aligns strongly with the journal’s scope by focusing on intelligent communication technologies, secure network architectures, and advanced wireless systems for next-generation networks. It promotes innovation in smart, autonomous, and resilient communication infrastructures, contributing to both theoretical advancement and practical deployment.

• AI/ML-based NLoS channel prediction and modeling;
• Intelligent routing and resource allocation for NLoS mitigation;
• Secure communication protocols for UAV swarms;
• Blockchain- or trust-based authentication and coordination;
• Integration with IoT, satellite, or terrestrial networks under NLoS conditions;
• Real-world testbeds, field trials, and case studies in complex environments;
• Cyberattack surface and vulnerability assessment of UAV systems;
• Blockchain-based authentication, mission logging, and operator verification for trust and auditability in UAV networks;
• Blockchain-based authentication and coordination protocols for multi-UAV networks in dynamic LoS/NLoS environments;
• Cyberattack detection and resilience mechanisms for UAV communications under NLoS and multi-hop conditions;
• Autonomous UAV decision-making to maintain robust communications during frequent LoS/NLoS transitions;
• Digital twin simulations of NLoS UAV communication environments;
• Anti-jamming techniques for resilient UAV communication.

Dr. Khadija Slimani
Dr. Adarsh Kumar
Dr. Hamed Taherdoost
Guest Editors

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