Explained - Drone classification

What is Battlefield Bytes: Explained? This issue serves as your guide to understanding the evolving landscape of defense technology. It clarifies current trends, unpacks new programs, and dissects pivotal events that influence military operations globally, providing insights into the dynamics shaping today’s and tomorrow's battlefield.

This article explores how Unmanned Aerial Systems, or drones, are classified by size, altitude, and payload capacity. These classifications are vital for understanding the capabilities of drones, ranging from tactical surveillance to armed combat roles.

Group 1: Small UAS

• Weight: < 20 lbs (9 kg)

• Altitude: < 1,200 ft (365 m)

• Speed: < 100 knots (51 m/s)

• Payload Capacity: < 5 lbs (2.3 kg)

• Role: Lightweight and easily deployed, Group 1 drones provide close-range ISR. This category includes military systems like the RQ-11 Raven but also civilian drones such as DJI quadcopters like the Mavic or Phantom series. These commercial drones, increasingly repurposed for battlefield use, provide tactical reconnaissance and surveillance due to their high-quality cameras and portability.

• Example: FPV (First-Person View) drones, often modified with explosive payloads or used for precision ISR, are also part of this group. They offer real-time video feeds to operators and are becoming a valuable tool in asymmetric warfare, as seen in Ukraine.

Group 2: Small Tactical UAS

• Weight: 21–55 lbs (10–25 kg)

• Altitude: < 3,500 ft (1,067 m)

• Speed: < 250 knots (128 m/s)

• Payload Capacity: Up to 20 lbs (9 kg)

• Role: These tactical drones perform extended ISR missions with payloads like electro-optical/infrared (EO/IR) sensors for both day and night operations.

• Example: ScanEagle, capable of carrying EO/IR sensors, is often used for maritime ISR, offering long-duration flight capabilities.

Group 3: Medium UAS

• Weight: < 1,320 lbs (600 kg)

• Altitude: < 18,000 ft (5,486 m)

• Speed: < 250 knots (128 m/s)

• Payload Capacity: 50–500 lbs (23–227 kg)

• Role: Group 3 drones are used for tactical ISR, communication relay, and electronic warfare. They are capable of carrying advanced payloads like synthetic aperture radar (SAR) and signals intelligence (SIGINT) systems.

• Example: The RQ-7 Shadow, used for artillery targeting, can carry up to 60 lbs (27 kg) of imaging or communication equipment.

Group 4: Large Tactical UAS

• Weight: > 1,320 lbs (600 kg)

• Altitude: < 18,000 ft (5,486 m)

• Speed: Any speed

• Payload Capacity: 500–1,000 lbs (227–454 kg)

• Role: Capable of carrying both ISR equipment and precision strike munitions such as Hellfire missiles, these drones perform combat and surveillance missions in hostile environments.

• Example: The MQ-1 Predator, with a payload of 450 lbs (204 kg), combines advanced ISR systems with weapons like Hellfire missiles for precision strikes.

Group 5: High-Altitude, Long-Endurance (HALE) UAS

• Weight: > 1,320 lbs (600 kg)

• Altitude: > 18,000 ft (5,486 m)

• Speed: Any speed

• Payload Capacity: Up to 3,000 lbs (1,361 kg)

• Role: These drones are designed for strategic ISR missions, providing continuous intelligence over wide areas with payloads like large sensor arrays and advanced communications equipment.

• Example: The RQ-4 Global Hawk can carry up to 3,000 lbs (1,361 kg) of sophisticated ISR equipment, including EO/IR sensors and SAR for long-duration surveillance over conflict zones.

Strategic Importance of Drone Payload and Speed

Each UAS group’s payload and speed capabilities define its role in military operations. Drones in Groups 1 and 2 excel in quick, tactical ISR missions, while Groups 3 to 5 provide extended endurance, advanced surveillance, and even direct combat roles. As UAS technology evolves, payload capacities will increase, integrating artificial intelligence and other advanced systems to further expand their operational versatility.

The speed and payload capacity of these drones determine their effectiveness in various mission profiles, from real-time ISR to strategic, high-endurance intelligence gathering. The modular nature of their payloads allows for quick reconfiguration, tailoring their capabilities to meet specific mission needs.

Conclusion

Understanding the classification, speed, and payload capacities of UAS is critical to grasping their expanding role in modern military operations. From small tactical drones used for immediate reconnaissance to high-altitude platforms designed for long-term strategic surveillance, these systems are integral to contemporary warfare. As drone technology continues to develop, their ability to carry larger, more sophisticated payloads will only enhance their role in ensuring battlefield superiority and operational flexibility.