// UNMANNED SYSTEMS AND NEXT-GEN WARFARE TERM
UAV
A UAV, or Unmanned Aerial Vehicle, is an aircraft that operates without a human pilot on board. It can be controlled remotely by an operator or fly autonomously using pre-programmed flight plans and onboard computers.
TECHNICAL DEFINITION
An Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) is an unpiloted aircraft component of an Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) that executes aerial missions, often leveraging advanced navigation algorithms, sensor arrays, and AI-driven autonomy for tasks like intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance (ISR), strike operations, and logistics within military and defense domains.
BACKGROUND
The United States military operates a large number of unmanned aerial vehicles. As of 2014 these were known to include 7,362 RQ-11 Ravens; 990 AeroVironment Wasp IIIs; 1,137 AeroVironment RQ-20 Pumas; 306 RQ-16 T-Hawk small UAS systems; 246 MQ-1 Predators; MQ-1C Gray Eagles; 126 MQ-9 Reapers; 491 RQ-7 Shadows; and 33 RQ-4 Global Hawk large systems.
READ MORE ON WIKIPEDIASYNONYMS & ALIASES
- Drone
- UAS
- RPAS
- Remotely Piloted Aircraft
- Unmanned Aircraft
- Military Drone
USAGE NOTE
UAVs are critical assets in modern military operations for gathering intelligence, performing surveillance, and delivering precision strikes, thereby minimizing human exposure to danger.
DEVELOPERS
Organizations developing technology related to UAV.
A global aerospace, defense, security, and advanced technologies company heavily involved in developing and manufacturing a wide range of military UAVs, including stealth drones and surveillance systems like the RQ-170 Sentinel and various platforms for reconnaissance and combat.
A leading global aerospace and defense technology company known for its advanced military UAVs, including the RQ-4 Global Hawk high-altitude, long-endurance (HALE) surveillance aircraft and the MQ-4C Triton maritime surveillance drone.
A prominent developer and manufacturer of military unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), radars, and electro-optic and related mission systems, most notably the Predator and Reaper series of combat-proven drones (MQ-1 and MQ-9).
A major aerospace company that develops and manufactures advanced defense, space, and security systems, including various military UAV projects, such as the MQ-25 Stingray for aerial refueling and other experimental uncrewed platforms.
While not primarily a platform manufacturer, Raytheon develops and integrates critical technologies for military UAVs, including advanced sensors, communication systems, payloads, and guidance systems for various drone platforms.
An international defense electronics company based in Israel, a significant developer and producer of a wide array of military UAVs (UAS) for intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition, and reconnaissance (ISTAR) missions, such as the Hermes series.
A Swedish aerospace and defense company that develops and manufactures advanced systems, including integrating UAV technology into its defense solutions and actively participating in research and development for future autonomous military systems.
A company specializing in small, tactical military UAVs, providing drones for reconnaissance, surveillance, and target acquisition for ground troops, including the Raven, Wasp, Puma, and Switchblade loitering munition systems.
Focused on advanced combat drones and high-performance unmanned jet aircraft for tactical and target drone applications, including the Valkyrie (XQ-58A) and Mako (UTAP-22) for collaborative combat aircraft concepts.