Editing Unmanned aerial vehicle (section)

==Classification types==
UAVs may be classified like any other [[aircraft]], according to design configuration such as weight or engine type, maximum flight altitude, degree of operational autonomy, operational role, etc. According to the [[United States Department of Defense]], UAVs are classified into five categories below:<ref name=uavclassificationA>{{cite web| url=https://www.e-education.psu.edu/geog892/node/5| title=UAV classification| access-date=June 10, 2022| archive-date=23 May 2022| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220523235132/https://www.e-education.psu.edu/geog892/node/5| url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=uavclassificationB>{{cite web| url=https://irp.fas.org/program/collect/uas-army.pdf| title=Eyes of the Army: U.S. Army Roadmap for UAS 2010–2035| access-date=June 10, 2022| archive-date=18 February 2022| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220218054255/https://irp.fas.org/program/collect/uas-army.pdf| url-status=live}}</ref>
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:right;"
|-
! Group:
! Group 1
! Group 2
! Group 3
! Group 4
! Group 5
|-
 !Size
 | Small
 | Medium
 | Large
 | Larger
 | Largest
|-
 !Max takeoff weight
 | < {{convert|20|lb|kg|abbr=on|disp=br() }}
 | > 20 & < 55
 | > 55 & < 1320
 | > {{convert| 1320|lb|kg|abbr=on|disp=br() }}
 | > {{convert| 1320|lb|kg|abbr=on|disp=br() }}
|-
 !Operating altitude
 | < {{convert|1,200|ft|m|abbr=on|disp=br() }}
 | < {{convert|3,500|ft|m|abbr=on|disp=br() }}
 | < {{convert|18,000|ft|m|abbr=on|disp=br() }}
 | < {{convert|18,000|ft|m|abbr=on|disp=br() }}
 | > {{convert|18,000|ft|m|abbr=on|disp=br() }}
|-
 !Speed
 | < {{convert|100|kn|km/h|abbr=on|disp=br() }}
 | < {{convert|250|kn|km/h|abbr=on|disp=br() }}
 | < {{convert|250|kn|km/h|abbr=on|disp=br() }}
 | Any speed
 | Any speed
|}
Other classifications of UAVs include:<ref name=uavclassificationA/>

===Range and endurance===
There are usually five categories when UAVs are classified by range and endurance:<ref name=uavclassificationA/>
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center;"
|-
! Range category
! Very close 
! Close 
! Short 
! Medium 
! Long 
|-
 | '''Range (km)''':
 | < 5
 | > 5 & < 50
 | > 50 & < 150
 | > 150 & < 650
 | > 650
|-
 | '''Endurance (hr)''':
 | 0.5 – 0.75 
 | 1–6
 | 8–12
 | 12–36 or 48
 | > 36 or 48
|}

===Size===
There are usually four categories when UAVs are classified by size, with at least one of the dimensions (length or wingspan) meet the following respective limits:<ref name=uavclassificationA/>
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center;"
|-
! Category
! Micro/Very small 
! Mini/Small 
! Medium 
! Large
|-
 | '''Length/wingspan''':
 | < 50&nbsp;cm
 | > 50&nbsp;cm & < 2 m
 | 5 –10 m
 | > 10 m 
|}

===Weight===
Based on their weight, drones can be classified into five categories:
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center;"
|+ Drone categories<ref name=dr1>[https://theprint.in/defence/nano-micro-small-the-different-drone-types-in-india-if-jammu-like-strike-can-be-averted/686158/ "Nano, micro, small: The different drone types in India & if Jammu-like strike can be averted"]. {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210629111522/https://theprint.in/defence/nano-micro-small-the-different-drone-types-in-india-if-jammu-like-strike-can-be-averted/686158/ |date=29 June 2021 }}. ''[[ThePrint]]'', 29 June 2021.</ref>
|-
! Category
! Nano
! [[Micro air vehicle|Micro]] (MAV)
! [[Miniature UAV|Miniature]] or Small (SUAV)
! Medium 
! Large 
|-
 | '''Weight''':
 | < 250&nbsp;gm
 | ≥ 250&nbsp;gm & < 02 &nbsp;kg
 | ≥ 02&nbsp;kg & < 25 &nbsp;kg
 | ≥ 25&nbsp;kg & < 150 &nbsp;kg
 | ≥ 150&nbsp;kg
|}

NATO uses a similar classification shown below:<ref name="auto1"/>
[[File:UASclassification.png|thumb|[[NATO]] classification of [[Unmanned Aerial Vehicles]].]]

===Degree of autonomy===
Drones can also be classified based on the degree of autonomy in their flight operations. ICAO classifies unmanned aircraft as either remotely piloted aircraft or fully autonomous.<ref name="Percepto Drones">{{cite web |last1=Drones |first1=Percepto |title=The Differences Between UAV, UAS, and Autonomous Drones |url=https://percepto.co/what-are-the-differences-between-uav-uas-and-autonomous-drones/ |website=Percepto |date=3 January 2019 |access-date=18 February 2020 |archive-date=18 February 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200218072255/https://percepto.co/what-are-the-differences-between-uav-uas-and-autonomous-drones/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Some UAVs offer intermediate degrees of autonomy. For example, a vehicle may be remotely piloted in most contexts but have an autonomous return-to-base operation. Some aircraft types may optionally fly manned or as UAVs, which may include manned aircraft transformed into manned or Optionally Piloted UAVs (OPVs). The flight of UAVs may operate under remote control by a human operator, as '''remotely piloted aircraft''' ('''RPA'''), or with various degrees of [[Vehicular automation|autonomy]], such as [[autopilot]] assistance, up to fully autonomous aircraft that have no provision for human intervention.<ref name="ICAO">{{cite book |last1=Cary |first1=Leslie |url=http://uvs-info.com/phocadownload/05_3a_2011/P112-P115_C&AI_ICAO-Advisory-Circular.pdf |title=2011–2012 UAS Yearbook – UAS: The Global Perspective |last2=Coyne |first2=James |publisher=Blyenburgh & Co |pages=112–115 |contribution=ICAO Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS), Circular 328 |access-date=26 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304025432/http://uvs-info.com/phocadownload/05_3a_2011/P112-P115_C%26AI_ICAO-Advisory-Circular.pdf |archive-date=4 March 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |last1=Hu |first1=J. |last2=Lanzon |first2=A. |date=2018 |title=An innovative tri-rotor drone and associated distributed aerial drone swarm control |url=https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0921889017308163 |journal=Robotics and Autonomous Systems |volume=103 |pages=162–174 |doi=10.1016/j.robot.2018.02.019}}</ref>

===Altitude===
Based on the altitude, the following UAV classifications have been used at industry events such as [[ParcAberporth]] Unmanned Systems forum:
* Hand-held {{convert|2000|ft|m|-2|abbr=on}} altitude, about 2&nbsp;km range
* Close {{convert|5000|ft|m|-2|abbr=on}} altitude, up to 10&nbsp;km range
* NATO type {{convert|10000|ft|m|-3|abbr=on}} altitude, up to 50&nbsp;km range
* Tactical {{convert|18000|ft|m|-2|abbr=on}} altitude, about 160&nbsp;km range
* [[Medium-altitude long-endurance unmanned aerial vehicle|MALE (medium altitude, long endurance)]] up to {{convert|30000|ft|m|-3|abbr=on}} and range over 200&nbsp;km
* [[High-Altitude Long Endurance|HALE (high altitude, long endurance)]] over {{convert|30000|ft|m|abbr=on}} and indefinite range
* Hypersonic high-speed, supersonic (Mach 1–5) or hypersonic (Mach 5+) {{convert|50000|ft|m|-2|abbr=on}} or suborbital altitude, range over 200&nbsp;km
* Orbital low Earth orbit (Mach 25+)
* CIS Lunar Earth-Moon transfer
* Computer Assisted Carrier Guidance System (CACGS) for UAVs

===Composite criteria===
An example of classification based on the composite criteria is U.S. Military's [[U.S. military UAS groups|unmanned aerial systems]] (UAS) classification of UAVs based on weight, maximum altitude and speed of the UAV component.

=== Power sources ===
UAVs can be classified based on their power or energy source, which significantly impacts their flight duration, range, and environmental impact. The main categories include:

* '''Battery-powered (electric):''' These UAVs use rechargeable batteries, offering quiet operation and lower maintenance but potentially limited flight times. The reduced noise levels make them suitable for urban environments and sensitive operations.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Garrow |first1=Laurie A. |last2=German |first2=Brian J. |last3=Leonard |first3=Caroline E. |date=2021-11-01 |title=Urban air mobility: A comprehensive review and comparative analysis with autonomous and electric ground transportation for informing future research |journal=Transportation Research Part C: Emerging Technologies |volume=132 |pages=103377 |doi=10.1016/j.trc.2021.103377 |issn=0968-090X|doi-access=free |bibcode=2021TRPC..13203377G }}</ref>
* '''Fuel-powered (internal combustion):''' Utilizing traditional fuels like gasoline or diesel, these UAVs often have longer flight times but may be noisier and require more maintenance. They are typically used for applications requiring extended endurance or heavy payload capacity.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Exploring Gas Powered Drones: Uses and Benefits |url=https://www.flyability.com/blog/gas-powered-drone |access-date=2024-08-08 |website=www.flyability.com |language=en}}</ref>
* '''Hybrid:''' Combining electric and fuel power sources, hybrid UAVs aim to balance the benefits of both systems for improved performance and efficiency. This configuration could allow for versatility in mission profiles and adaptability to different operational requirements.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Zhang |first1=Caizhi |last2=Qiu |first2=Yuqi |last3=Chen |first3=Jiawei |last4=Li |first4=Yuehua |last5=Liu |first5=Zhitao |last6=Liu |first6=Yang |last7=Zhang |first7=Jiujun |last8=Hwa |first8=Chan Siew |date=2022-08-01 |title=A comprehensive review of electrochemical hybrid power supply systems and intelligent energy managements for unmanned aerial vehicles in public services |url=https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666546822000283 |journal=Energy and AI |volume=9 |pages=100175 |doi=10.1016/j.egyai.2022.100175 |bibcode=2022EneAI...900175Z |issn=2666-5468|hdl=10356/164036 |hdl-access=free }}</ref>
* '''Hydrogen fuel cell:''' [[Proton-exchange membrane fuel cell|hydrogen fuel cells]] offer the potential for longer flight times than batteries yet stealthier (no heat signature) operation than combustion engines.<ref>Nefedkin, S. I.; Klimova, M. A.; Glasov, V. S.; Pavlov, V. I.; Tolmachev, Y. V. Effect of the corrugated bipolar plate design on the self-humidification of a high power density PEMFC stack for UAVs. Fuel Cells 2021, 21 (3), 234-253,  10.1002/fuce.202000163.</ref> The high energy density of hydrogen makes it a promising option for future UAV propulsion systems.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Powering Solutions for Your Drone in 2024: New Fuels |url=https://www.commercialuavnews.com/surveying/powering-solutions-for-your-drone-in-2024-new-fuels |access-date=2024-08-08 |website=Commercial Uav News |language=en}}</ref>
* '''Solar-powered:''' Equipped with solar panels, these UAVs can potentially achieve extended flight times by harnessing solar energy, especially at high altitudes. Solar-powered UAVs may be particularly suited for long-endurance missions and environmental monitoring applications.<ref>{{Cite web |last=jenks2026 |date=2024-01-30 |title=Solar-Powered Drones and UAVs |url=https://green.org/2024/01/30/solar-powered-drones-and-uavs/ |access-date=2024-08-08 |website=Green.org |language=en-US}}</ref>
* '''Nuclear-powered:''' While nuclear power has been explored for larger aircraft, its application in UAVs remains largely theoretical due to safety concerns and regulatory challenges. Research in this area is ongoing but faces significant hurdles before practical implementation.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Fabled Sky Research |date=2024 |title=Revolutionizing UAV Capabilities: Exploring the Potential of Nuclear Propulsion Systems |url=https://figshare.com/articles/preprint/_b_Revolutionizing_UAV_Capabilities_Exploring_the_Potential_of_Nuclear_Propulsion_Systems_b_/26198462/1 |journal=UAV Technologies |pages=219399 Bytes |doi=10.6084/M9.FIGSHARE.26198462.V1}}</ref>