A searchlight control system for an aerial vehicle, comprising: a searchlight adapted to be mounted to the aerial vehicle; a searchlight actuator for adjusting a direction of a beam of the searchlight; a sensor system configured to output angular data representing a directional angle of the beam of the searchlight with respect to the aerial vehicle and location data representing a global location of the aerial vehicle; at least one processor in operable communication with the sensor system and the searchlight actuator, the at least one processor configured to execute program instructions, wherein the program instructions are configured to cause the at least one processor to: determine coverage of the beam on ground based on the angular data, the location data and other searchlight parameters including beam dimension, wherein the location data includes altitude of the aerial vehicle, characterized in that the program instructions are further configured to cause the at least one processor to: receive a search and rescue, SAR, target area; update a record of historical coverage of the beam based on currently determined coverage of the beam, the record of historical coverage of the beam stored in memory of the searchlight control system; compare the SAR target area and the historical coverage of the beam; and perform, based on the comparison: controlling the aerial vehicle to change the global location so as to direct the beam of the searchlight to uncovered area on the ground; and controlling the searchlight actuator so as to adjust the direction of the beam to direct the beam of the search to uncovered area on the ground. a searchlight adapted to be mounted to the aerial vehicle; a searchlight actuator for adjusting a direction of a beam of the searchlight; a sensor system configured to output angular data representing a directional angle of the beam of the searchlight with respect to the aerial vehicle and location data representing a global location of the aerial vehicle; at least one processor in operable communication with the sensor system and the searchlight actuator, the at least one processor configured to execute program instructions, wherein the program instructions are configured to cause the at least one processor to: determine coverage of the beam on ground based on the angular data, the location data and other searchlight parameters including beam dimension, wherein the location data includes altitude of the aerial vehicle, characterized in that determine coverage of the beam on ground based on the angular data, the location data and other searchlight parameters including beam dimension, wherein the location data includes altitude of the aerial vehicle, characterized in that the program instructions are further configured to cause the at least one processor to: receive a search and rescue, SAR, target area; update a record of historical coverage of the beam based on currently determined coverage of the beam, the record of historical coverage of the beam stored in memory of the searchlight control system; compare the SAR target area and the historical coverage of the beam; and perform, based on the comparison: controlling the aerial vehicle to change the global location so as to direct the beam of the searchlight to uncovered area on the ground; and controlling the searchlight actuator so as to adjust the direction of the beam to direct the beam of the search to uncovered area on the ground. receive a search and rescue, SAR, target area; update a record of historical coverage of the beam based on currently determined coverage of the beam, the record of historical coverage of the beam stored in memory of the searchlight control system; compare the SAR target area and the historical coverage of the beam; and perform, based on the comparison: controlling the aerial vehicle to change the global location so as to direct the beam of the searchlight to uncovered area on the ground; and controlling the searchlight actuator so as to adjust the direction of the beam to direct the beam of the search to uncovered area on the ground. controlling the aerial vehicle to change the global location so as to direct the beam of the searchlight to uncovered area on the ground; and controlling the searchlight actuator so as to adjust the direction of the beam to direct the beam of the search to uncovered area on the ground.