Editing Unmanned aerial vehicle (section)

=== 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>