Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) Classes
UAVs are divided by class category. During operations where more than one system is available, UAV systems can be task organized and class categories selected to achieve the required flexibility and capability. This a listing of UAV class categories as recognized by the Department of Defense (DOD) UAV Master Plan. The categories were initially by range or flight hours, or both.
o UAV-Close Range (UAV-CR). Operational range will be approximately 50 kilometers
o UAV-Short Range (UAV-SR). Flight duration of 8 to 10 hours designed to penetrate into enemy airspace out to a range of 200 kilometers with datalink
o UAV-Endurance (UAV-E). Minimum of 24 hour's coverage and be capable of performing multiple missions simultaneously
While there are differences in range and capabilities, all of these categories of UAVs are considered to be members of the family of UAVs. The family of UAVs concept is based upon commonality and interpretability. All ground receivers are capable of receiving the video of any other UAV within range, regardless of the class category.
Joint UAS Groups | |||
---|---|---|---|
UAS Category | Weight | Altitude | Speed |
Group 1 | Less than 20 pounds | Less than 1,200 feet AGL | Less than 100 knots |
Group 2 | 21-55 pounds | Less than 3,500 feet AGL | Less than 250 knots |
Group 3 | Less than 1320 pounds | Less than 18,000 feet AGL | Less than 250 knots |
Group 4 | Over 1320 pounds | Less than 18,000 feet AGL | Any speed |
Group 5 | Over 1320 pounds | Over 18,000 feet AGL | Any speed |
FY2009–2034 Unmanned Systems Integrated Roadmap, Department of Defense, 2009. |
Civilian UAS Classes | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Classification | Description | Weight | Range | Altitude | Endurance |
Mini-UAV | Miniature | Less than 25 kilograms | Less than 10 kilometers | Less than 500 feet | Less than 2 hours |
CR-UAV | Close-Range | 25 – 150 kilograms | 10-30 kilometers | Less than 10,000 feet | 2-4 hours |
SR-UAV | Short-Range | 50 – 250 kilograms | 30-70 kilometers | Less than 10,000 feet | 3-6 hours |
MR-UAV | Medium-Range | 150 – 500 kilograms | 70-200 kilometers | Less than 16,500 feet | 6-10 hours |
MALE | Medium Altitude Long Endurance | 1000 – 1500 kilograms | Over 500 kilometers | 16,500- 25,000 feet | 24-48 hours |
HALE | High-Altitude Long Endurance | Over 2000 kilograms | Over 2000 kilometers | Less than 65,000 feet | 24-48 hours |
STRATO-UAV | Stratospheric Over | 2500 kilograms | Over 2000 kilometers | Over 65,000 feet | 24-48 hours |
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