PERCHING UAV WITH RELEASABLE CRAWLER

An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) a fixed frame and a rotating arm pivotably coupled to the fixed frame at a central axis. The fixed frame includes peripheral propellers and corresponding motors for flying the UAV, and a central electronics enclosure for housing electronics used to control the UAV. The rotating arm is between the propellers and configured to rotate with respect to the fixed frame about the central axis. The rotating arm includes magnetic feet at a first end of the rotating arm and configured to perch and magnetically attach the UAV to a ferromagnetic surface, a docking station at the first end and configured to release and dock a releasable crawler, and a battery at a second end of the rotating arm opposite the first end and configured to supply power to the motors and the housed electronics, and to counterbalance the first end about the central axis.