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State-of-the-Art Advances and Emerging Challenges in UAV Routing Optimization: A Comprehensive Review
Review Article | Published: 31 July 2025
ICCK Transactions on Systems Safety and Reliability Volume 1, Issue 1, 2025: 43-62
Volume 1, Issue 1, ICCK Transactions on Systems Safety and Reliability
Volume 1, Issue 1, 2025
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ICCK Transactions on Systems Safety and Reliability, Volume 1, Issue 1, 2025: 43-62

Free to Read | Review Article | 31 July 2025
State-of-the-Art Advances and Emerging Challenges in UAV Routing Optimization: A Comprehensive Review
by
Kaiye Gao Kaiye Gao 1
Jun Qu Jun Qu 2
Guodong Zhang Guodong Zhang 3
Wen Zhang Wen Zhang 4
Bin Liu Bin Liu 5
Yuan Gao Yuan Gao 6
Di Wu Di Wu 7 *
1 School of Economics & Management, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing 100083, China
2 School of Management, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710049, China
3 Erdaojiang Housing Acquisition Administration Center, Tonghua, China
4 School of Economics & Management, Beijing University of Technology, Beijing 100081, China
5 Department of Management Science, Strathclyde University, Glasgow, United Kingdom
6 School of Management, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing 100081, China
7 School of Management Science and Engineering, Central University of Finance and Economics, Beijing 100081, China
* Corresponding Author: Di Wu, [email protected]
DOI: 10.62762/TSSR.2025.423261
Received: 30 May 2025, Accepted: 18 July 2025, Published: 31 July 2025  
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Abstract
This literature review offers an in-depth overview of recent advances in routing optimization for Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), a field central to improving the performance, reliability, and flexibility of UAV systems. The review is organized into five categories: (1) multi-objective mission planning, (2) algorithmic design and optimization techniques, (3) energy efficiency and resource allocation, (4) communication protocols and network management, and (5) context-specific applications and environmental adaptability. The review highlights methodological progress and algorithmic approaches developed to balance competing demands such as mission effectiveness, energy use, and communication stability. Emphasis is placed on techniques that aim to extend UAV network longevity through effective energy strategies and on the creation of robust communication frameworks to support dependable data exchange. The study also considers how routing methods are being adapted to accommodate dynamic operational environments and varying external conditions. By drawing together insights from these areas, the review provides a comprehensive perspective on the current state of UAV routing optimization and identifies pressing challenges and directions for future research, with a focus on developing more adaptive and intelligent routing solutions.
Graphical Abstract
State-of-the-Art Advances and Emerging Challenges in UAV Routing Optimization: A Comprehensive Review
Keywords
unmanned aerial vehicle
routing optimization
multi-objective mission planning
energy efficiency
communication protocols
environmental adaptation
Data Availability Statement
Data will be made available on request.
Funding
The work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China under Grant 72001027, the Postdoctoral Foundation of China under Grant 2021M693331, and the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities.
Conflicts of Interest
The authors declare no conflicts of interest.
Ethical Approval and Consent to Participate
Not applicable.
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Cite This Article
APA Style
Gao, K., Qu, J., Zhang, G., Zhang, W., Liu, B., Gao, Y., & Wu, D. (2025). State-of-the-Art Advances and Emerging Challenges in UAV Routing Optimization: A Comprehensive Review. ICCK Transactions on Systems Safety and Reliability, 1(1), 43–62. https://doi.org/10.62762/TSSR.2025.423261
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