Naval Historywith Dr. Alex

Q&A · 1:08:31-1:08:53

Drone classification remains unsettled

Proposed drone classifications remain inconsistent because the category spans machines from insect scale to Global Hawk size.

Drone ClassificationMilitary AviationUncrewed Systems
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Question

Is there a classification system that covers drones from insect-sized machines to Global Hawk-scale aircraft?

Short answer

No single system works consistently yet because the range of vehicles described as drones is too varied.

Notes

A single classification system has trouble covering vehicles ranging from insect-sized machines to Global Hawk-scale aircraft. Several schemes have been proposed, but the field remains too varied for one to work consistently. Drone classification therefore remains unsettled. Any category needs its own definition before it can support a force-structure comparison.