What is a civilian drone, UAV, or UAS?

unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV)

• DroneSpeak Definition:
  • A vehicle that is primarily capable of propelling itself through an airspace, with no human pilot on board.
• We use ‘UAV’ as the general term for any vehicle of any size that propels itself through air without a human pilot on board.
  • Civilians in the general public often prefer the term ‘drone’.
  • Many in military/defense occupations, and some professionals, prefer the term ‘UAV’.
  • Some prefer the terms “Small UAS” or “Micro Air Vehicle (MAV)”.
• More DroneSpeak UAV description information and UAV examples can be found here.
• Information about uses or applications can be found on the pages under here.

drone

• DroneSpeak Definition:
  • An unmanned vehicle capable of purposeful movement without real time human guidance.
• We use ‘drone’ as the term for an unmanned vehicle that can (is capable of) travel without direct, continuous control by a human being.
  • Civilians in the general public typically perceive a ‘drone’ to be an aerial vehicle or a small, unmanned aircraft.
  • However, many in military/defense occupations, and some professionals, prefer alternative definitions for ‘drone’.
• A specific drone may be a UAV, however some drones may be unmanned hybrid vehicles ((UHVs) that are capable of travel through air and also on ground, on water, under water, and through other spaces.

unmanned aerial-vehicle system (UAS)

• DroneSpeak Definition:
  • A system that enables an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) to propel itself through airspace.
• We use ‘UAS’ as the general term for a complete system that enables a UAV or aerial drone to propel itself through air.
  • However, many civil aviation authorities prefer ‘UAS’ to be spelled out as ‘unmanned aircraft system(s)’.
  • In the media, several different meanings have been associated with the term ‘UAS’:
    • one or more unmanned aircraft (only the aircraft, nothing else);
    • a complete system that enables an unmanned aircraft to travel with higher safety through controlled or uncontrolled airspace;
    • a group of UASs (either a group of aircraft, or a group of enabling systems);
    • UASs in general.
• A UAS may also enable multiple UAVs, aerial drones, and in some cases hybrid drones.
• More DroneSpeak UAS description information and UAS examples can be found here.

Why “unmanned aerial-vehicle system”? Why not re-use one of the other popular terms?

• Around the world, there is no common nomenclature for all kinds of unmanned vehicles or unmanned vehicle systems.
• For consistency of terminology, DroneSpeak staff developed one method for naming seven (7) categories/types of unmanned vehicles based on the probable physical environments.
• The seven vehicle categories are the basis for DroneSpeak’s consistent approach to naming categories of complete, operational systems that enable unmanned vehicles to fulfill a purpose.

Background

Around the world, millions of people commonly use the term “drone”. However their perceptions are often based on information about drones when used as weapons for military purposes. Recently more people are becoming aware of the many uses or applications for drones that are non-weapon and non-threatening, offering benefits to civilian quality of life, with some risk. Some are learning that not all drones fly. Drones may travel on the ground, across or under water, even through outer space. In general, most people perceive drones as machines that move through the air without a pilot on board. Like a flying robot. Going somewhere, doing something.

On this unique website we have cataloged thousands of links to information about civilian drones, UAVs, UASs, components and systems. We have also identified many common topics for both overview and in-depth articles. We invite you to explore the entire DroneSpeak Vocabulary by browsing the links on the page about each DroneSpeak term. Take a look at the UAS topics.  Catch up on the latest News. See the pages under Resources. Read the DroneSpeak articles/posts. And let us know how we are doing. How was this website useful to you?