A data transfer system is disclosed for an unmanned vehicle on a mission. The data transfer system can include a first sensor associated with the unmanned vehicle for collecting a first data set, and a second sensor associated with the unmanned vehicle and for collecting a second data set, wherein the second data set is associated with the first data set by a predetermined association. A transceiver can transmit data from the unmanned vehicle to a remote data storage system. A mass data storage computer located on the unmanned vehicle can store the first and second data sets based on the predetermined association, and execute requests from the remote data storage system to transmit the first data set from the unmanned vehicle to the remote data storage system, and to transmit selected ones of the second data set from the unmanned vehicle to the remote data storage system.