An automated system for controlling a plurality of unmanned aerial vehicles (110A-11D), hereinafter referred to as UAVs, the system comprising: a receiver configured to receive first telemetric data and updated telemetric data from the plurality of UAVs, wherein at least one of the first telemetric data and updated telemetric data includes position data and/or battery charge data; a transmitter configured to transmit control data, comprising navigational and scheduling program data, to the plurality of UAVs; and at least one processor in communication with a memory storing processor-issuable instructions to: substantially simultaneously determine a plurality of plans for each unmanned aerial vehicle of the plurality of UAVs and for a predetermined time period based at least on the first telemetric data; wherein the plurality of plans includes an instruction for at least one UAV of the plurality of UAVs to travel to a recharging station; and iteratively revise the telemetric data and the plurality of plans into updated telemetric data and plans for each one of said plurality unmanned aerial vehicles UAVs, and transmit both navigational and scheduling program data to said plurality of UAVs such that said plurality of UAVs can not only be controlled navigationally but can also be controlled in accordance with a scheduled program, including periodic movements to at least one recharging station, whereby individual ones of said plurality of unmanned aerial vehicles can assist each other in combination in order to accomplish a predetermined task, as well as to relieve each other as necessary in accordance with a continuously controlled unmanned aerial vehicle operational program. a receiver configured to receive first telemetric data and updated telemetric data from the plurality of UAVs, wherein at least one of the first telemetric data and updated telemetric data includes position data and/or battery charge data; a transmitter configured to transmit control data, comprising navigational and scheduling program data, to the plurality of UAVs; and at least one processor in communication with a memory storing processor-issuable instructions to: substantially simultaneously determine a plurality of plans for each unmanned aerial vehicle of the plurality of UAVs and for a predetermined time period based at least on the first telemetric data; wherein the plurality of plans includes an instruction for at least one UAV of the plurality of UAVs to travel to a recharging station; and iteratively revise the telemetric data and the plurality of plans into updated telemetric data and plans for each one of said plurality unmanned aerial vehicles UAVs, and transmit both navigational and scheduling program data to said plurality of UAVs such that said plurality of UAVs can not only be controlled navigationally but can also be controlled in accordance with a scheduled program, including periodic movements to at least one recharging station, whereby individual ones of said plurality of unmanned aerial vehicles can assist each other in combination in order to accomplish a predetermined task, as well as to relieve each other as necessary in accordance with a continuously controlled unmanned aerial vehicle operational program. substantially simultaneously determine a plurality of plans for each unmanned aerial vehicle of the plurality of UAVs and for a predetermined time period based at least on the first telemetric data; wherein the plurality of plans includes an instruction for at least one UAV of the plurality of UAVs to travel to a recharging station; and iteratively revise the telemetric data and the plurality of plans into updated telemetric data and plans for each one of said plurality unmanned aerial vehicles UAVs, and transmit both navigational and scheduling program data to said plurality of UAVs such that said plurality of UAVs can not only be controlled navigationally but can also be controlled in accordance with a scheduled program, including periodic movements to at least one recharging station, whereby individual ones of said plurality of unmanned aerial vehicles can assist each other in combination in order to accomplish a predetermined task, as well as to relieve each other as necessary in accordance with a continuously controlled unmanned aerial vehicle operational program.