Systems and methods for precise vehicle locator

Systems and methods for locating UAV. The methods comprise: causing a physical joining of a payload with a fuselage of the UAV without any modification to the fuselage (where the payload comprises a communication relay configured to perform relay operations to extend a range between users of a communication relay link for voice and data communications and a first locator configured to perform location operations to determine and report a location of the UAV to the users of the communication relay link); using a power source to supply power to the payload that is independent from a main power source used to supply power to avionic electronics of the UAV; and continuing to perform the relay operations by the communication relay and the location operations by the first locator, when power is no longer being supplied to the avionic electronics by the main power source of the UAV.