Classification of UAV
UAVs can be classified according to the type of wing and aerodynamic configuration they use. The wing configuration significantly influences the UAV’s stability, endurance, maneuverability, payload capacity, and mission role.
| Point of Comparison | UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle) | Drone |
|---|---|---|
| Definition | A specific type of aircraft that flies without a human pilot onboard. | A general term used for any remotely operated or autonomous robotic vehicle. |
| Scope | Refers ONLY to airborne vehicles. | Covers air, land, sea, underwater robots. |
| Usage Context | Used in military, aerospace, and engineering. | Commonly used in commercial, hobby, and public contexts. |
| Technicality | Formal, technical aviation term. | Simple, common public term. |
| Control Type | Autonomous, semi-autonomous, or remotely piloted. | Mainly remote-controlled; may also be autonomous. |
| Regulatory Use | Authorities use “UAV / UAS / RPAS”. | “Drone” rarely used in official regulations. |
Classification of UAV
A. Based on Size
B. Based on Altitude & Endurance
C. Based on Wing Configuration
Micro UAVs
Extremely small drones, including nano and mini drones; often used for indoor operations, hobby use, and close-range surveillance.
(< 2 kg)
Small UAVs
(2–25 kg)
Medium UAVs
Larger tactical UAVs designed for military reconnaissance, long-range missions, and moderate payload operations.
(25–150 kg)
Large UAVs
High-Altitude Long Endurance (HALE) and Medium-Altitude Long Endurance (MALE) UAVs used in defense, border surveillance, and strategic missions.
(> 150 kg)
HALE (High-Altitude Long Endurance)
Purpose: Strategic reconnaissance, climate monitoring, communication relay
> 24 hours
LALE (Low Altitude Long Endurance)
Purpose: Agricultural spraying, surveillance, inspection
2 – 6 hours
MALE (Medium Altitude Long Endurance)
Purpose: Intelligence, Reconnaissance, Surveillance (ISR)
12 – 24 hours
LASE (Low Altitude – Short Endurance)
- Altitude: < 1,000 ft (≈ 300 m)
- Purpose: Hobby flying, training, small-scale mapping
< 2 hours
Fixed-Wing UAVs
These UAVs use stationary wings to generate lift, similar to conventional aircraft.
Rotary-Wing UAVs
These UAVs use rotating blades to generate lift, enabling vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL).
Multi-Rotor UAVs (VTOL)
Multiple rotors for lift; easy to operate, ideal for short missions.
Hybrid Wing Configurations
These combine advantages of fixed-wing and rotary-wing UAVs.
| Category | Altitude | Endurance | Applications | Examples |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Very Low Altitude – Short Endurance (VLA-SE) | < 500 ft | < 1 hour | Indoor missions, short-range photography | Mini drones, toy drones |
| Low Altitude – Short Endurance (LASE) | < 1,000 ft | < 2 hours | Training, hobby flying, inspection | Small quadcopters |
| Low Altitude – Long Endurance (LALE) | < 3,000 ft | 2 – 6 hours | Agriculture, mapping, surveillance | Fixed-wing agri drones |
| Medium Altitude – Long Endurance (MALE) | 10,000 – 30,000 ft | 12 – 24 hours | ISR missions (Intelligence, Surveillance, Reconnaissance) | MQ-1 Predator, Heron, Wing Loong |
| High Altitude – Long Endurance (HALE) | > 30,000 ft | > 24 hours | Strategic recon, communication relay, climate monitoring | RQ-4 Global Hawk, Zephyr |