  This paper provides an overview of enhanced network services, while
emphasizing on the role of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) as core network
equipment with radio and backhaul capabilities. Initially, we elaborate the
various deployment options, focusing on UAVs as airborne radio, backhaul and
core network equipment, pointing out the benefits and limitations. We then
analyze the required enhancements in the Service-Based Architecture (SBA) to
support UAV services including UAV navigation and air traffic management,
weather forecasting and UAV connectivity management. The use of airborne UAVs
network services is assessed via qualitative means, considering the impact on
vehicular applications. Finally, an evaluation has been conducted via a testbed
implementation, to explore the performance of UAVs as edge cloud nodes, hosting
an Aerial Control System (ACS) function responsible for the control and
orchestration of a UAV fleet.
