Classification of UAV

Module 2

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.

Classification of UAV

A. Based on Size
B. Based on Wing Configuration

C. Based on Altitude & Endurance
D. Based on Flight Range

A. Based on Size
B. Based on Wing Configuration
C. Based on Altitude and Endurance
D. Based on Range
A. Based on Size
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

  • Common quadcopters and small fixed-wing drones used for photography, mapping, agriculture, and training.

    • (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)
    B. Based on Wing Configuration
    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.

    C. Based on Altitude and Endurance
    HALE (High-Altitude Long Endurance)

  • Altitude: > 30,000 ft (≈ 9 km and above)

  • Purpose: Strategic reconnaissance, climate monitoring, communication relay

    • > 24 hours
    LALE (Low Altitude Long Endurance)

  • Altitude: < 3,000 ft (≈ 1 km)

  • Purpose: Agricultural spraying, surveillance, inspection

    • 2 – 6 hours
    MALE (Medium Altitude Long Endurance)

  • Altitude: 10,000 – 30,000 ft (≈ 3 – 9 km)

  • 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
    D. Based on Range
    Very Close Range

  • Endurance: Up to 1 hour

  • Purpose: Short surveillance, indoor/outdoor photography

    • Up to 5 km
    Close Range 

  • Endurance:Up to 6 hours

  • Purpose:Tactical surveillance, mapping, border patrol

    • Up to 50 km
    Short-Range

  • Endurance:Up to 12 hours

  • Purpose: GIS mapping, agriculture, and environmental monitoring.

    • Up to 150 km
    Medium-Range

  • Endurance:Up to 24 hours

  • Purpose: Military ISR (Intelligence, Surveillance & Reconnaissance) and patrol.

    • Up to 644 km
    Long-Range
    • Endurance:  > 24 hours

    • Purpose:Strategic military missions, ocean monitoring, disaster management.

    >  644 km
    UAV Classification Based on Altitude & Endurance
    CategoryAltitudeEnduranceApplicationsExamples
    Very Low Altitude – Short Endurance (VLA-SE)< 500 ft< 1 hourIndoor missions, short-range photographyMini drones, toy drones
    Low Altitude – Short Endurance (LASE)< 1,000 ft< 2 hoursTraining, hobby flying, inspectionSmall quadcopters
    Low Altitude – Long Endurance (LALE)< 3,000 ft2 – 6 hoursAgriculture, mapping, surveillanceFixed-wing agri drones
    Medium Altitude – Long Endurance (MALE)10,000 – 30,000 ft12 – 24 hoursISR missions (Intelligence, Surveillance, Reconnaissance)MQ-1 Predator, Heron, Wing Loong
    High Altitude – Long Endurance (HALE)> 30,000 ft> 24 hoursStrategic recon, communication relay, climate monitoringRQ-4 Global Hawk, Zephyr
    Classification of UAVs by Dr Aishwarya Dhara
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