Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS)

Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) provides its own set of capabilities and limitations. Capabilities include: (1) use of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV) for high-risk missions, (2) design flexibility which allows for extremely small sizes as well as performance beyond human aircrew capacities (in terms of high G-Forces, for example), (3) high endurance, and (4) mission flexibility (multi-tasked role in a single sortie). UAS also have two important differences from manned aircraft which are: (1) the challenge of employing Unmanned Aircraft (UA) seamlessly alongside manned aircraft, and (2) the requirement for a data link connection between the aircraft and the ground control station.

Three types of UA exist: fixed wing, rotary wing, and lighter-than-air vehicles. All the varying types of payloads can be reduced to four categories: sensors, communications relay (voice and data), weapons, and cargo. The CONEMP shows that each combination of airframe type (fixed wing, rotary wing, or lighter-than-air) and payload type results in a unique set of capabilities and limitations for that particular combination.

At the UAV meeting in September 2009 the NATO Joint Capabilities Group agreed to divide UAS into three categories, CLASS I, II, and III. Each class is further divided into subcategories with their associated parameters. Parameters such as altitude and mission radius are guidelines, whereas UAV weight is the single determining factor of CLASS if a discrepancy exists between weight and any other factor. By virtue of size, Class I UAS are normally man-portable, handlaunched and operated by an individual controller, and normally have a range of less than 20 miles. They may be tracked using a force tracking system and typically have an endurance of up to two hours. Simplicity of launch and recovery allows a unit to employ Class I UAS assets quickly. In contrast with Class I, most Class III fixed wing UAS require runways for launch and recovery, as well as greater logistical support and infrastructure. Class III UAS will require more airspace considerations than other classes, leading to airspace management requirements on par with manned aircraft.

UAS are typically used for three types of military missions in operational theatres such as Afghanistan and Iraq. The three mission types are: Intelligence Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) or Reconnaissance Surveillance and Target Acquisition (RSTA), tactical Command and Control, and Joint Fires. But UAS are applicable as well for the following Joint missions: Battle Damage Assessment (BDA); Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, or high yield Explosive (CBRNE); cargo delivery; logistic resupply; psychological operations; combat identification; early warning; electronic warfare; border monitoring; explosive device detection; signals intelligence; maritime vessel identification; meteorology; personnel recovery; and law enforcement support.

The shift from ground-based situational awareness to aerial surveillance using flying sensors will become a decisive factor for electronic warfare. The new strategy makes defense agencies acquire many new tools and technologies. Micro and nano UAV technology has taken conventional military intelligence to the next level and has uplifted the face of modern electronic warfare. Modernizing defense with a robotic army is a key enabler for an inclusive strategy of using electronic warfare. Budgets are shifting towards adding electronic and automated warfare machines keeping human interference and ground control stations.

States will invest in robotic reconnaissance and surveillance with the use of micro and nano UAVs. There will be massive demand for the integration of micro and nano UAVs with modern technologies such as next-generation avionics, artificial intelligence, and machine learning, real-time operating systems, and other technologies. There will be the integration of micro and nano UAVs with electronic warfare countermeasure systems.

The 2022 report �Global Micro and Nano UAVs for Defense and Security - Market and Technology Forecast to 2030� projected that global micro UAV markets for defense and security will reach US$172 million through 2030 from US$138 million in 2022. And nano UAV markets for defense and security will grow to US$902 million in 2030 from US$ 102 million in 2022. The major growth of the market is anticipated from 2025 to 2030.

NATO UAS Classification Guide. September 2009 JCGUAV meeting
Class	Category	Normal employment	Normal Operating Altitude	Normal Mission Radius	Primary Supported Commander	Example platform
CLASS III (more than 600 kg)	Strike/ Combat	Strategic/National	Up to 65,000 ft	Unlimited (BLOS)	Theater COM
	HALE	Strategic/National	Up to 65,000 ft	Unlimited (BLOS)	Theater COM	Global Hawk
	MALE	Operational/theater	Up to 45,000 ft MSL	Unlimited (BLOS)	JTF COM	Predator B Predator A Harfang Heron Heron TP Hermes 900
CLASS II (150 kg to 600 kg)	TACTICAL	Tactical Formation	Up to 10,000 ft AGL	200 km (LOS)	Bde Comd	Aerostar Hermes 450 iView 250 Ranger Sperwer
CLASS I (less than 150 kg)	SMALL >20 KG	Tactical Unit (employs launch system)	Up to 5K ft AGL	50 km (LOS)	BN/Regt, BG	Hermes 90 Luna
	MINI 2-20 kg	Tactical Sub-unit (manual launch)	Up to 3K ft AGL	25 km (LOS)	Coy/Sqn	Aladin DH3 DRAC Eagle Raven Scan Skylark Strix T-Hawk
	MICRO < 2 kg	Tactical PI, Sect, Individual (single operator)	Up to 200 ft AGL	5 km (LOS)	PI, Sect	Black Widow

There is no one standard when it comes to the classification of UAS. (In this course, the terms UAS and UAV will be used interchangeably.) Defense agencies have their own standard, and civilians have their ever-evolving loose categories for UAS. People classify them by size, range and endurance, and use a tier system that is employed by the military. Weight categories :

• Nano - Less than or equal to 250 gms.
• Micro - more than 250 gms to 2 kgs.
• Small - more than 2 kgs to 25 kgs.
• Medium - more than 25 kgs to 150 kgs.
• Large - More than 150 kgs.

UAVs Classification according to the US Department of Defense (DoD)

Group 1	Small	0-20	<1,200 AGL*	<100
Group 2	Medium	21-55	<3,500	<250
Group 3	Large	<1320	<18,000 MSL**	<250
Group 4	Larger	>1320	<18,000 MSL	Any airspeed
Group 5	Largest	>1320	>18,000	Any airspeed
*AGL = Above Ground Level **MSL = Mean Sea Level Note: If the UAS has even one characteristic of the next level, it is classified in that level.