SUAS Breakdown: Difference between revisions
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== small Unmanned Aerial Systems == | == small Unmanned Aerial Systems == | ||
An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) or unmanned aircraft system (UAS), commonly known as a drone, is an aircraft with no human pilot, crew, or passengers onboard, but rather is controlled remotely or is autonomous. <ref>[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unmanned_aerial_vehicle Wikipedia UAS]</ref> | |||
=== Terms === | === Terms === | ||
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* '''ESAD''': Electronic Safe and Arm Device - a critical safety component used in an ordnance system, not specific to UAS. Provides electronic control of arming and firing functions with multiple safety interlocks. | * '''ESAD''': Electronic Safe and Arm Device - a critical safety component used in an ordnance system, not specific to UAS. Provides electronic control of arming and firing functions with multiple safety interlocks. | ||
* '''ESAF''': Electronic Safe Arming and Fire - legacy term more commonly used in UK contexts than ESAD. Both ESAD and ESAF are fundamental safety features in an ordnance system, ensuring proper arming sequences and preventing accidental detonation. | * '''ESAF''': Electronic Safe Arming and Fire - legacy term more commonly used in UK contexts than ESAD. Both ESAD and ESAF are fundamental safety features in an ordnance system, ensuring proper arming sequences and preventing accidental detonation. | ||
* '''ELRS''': | * '''ELRS''': ExpressLRS – a low-latency, long-range radio protocol that transmits control inputs and optionally telemetry (like battery voltage, GPS, etc.) | ||
* '''LRS''': Long Range System used to maintain command & control links over 10–30+ km | |||
* '''ESCs''': Electronic Speed Controllers | * '''ESCs''': Electronic Speed Controllers | ||
* '''FPV''': First Person View | * '''FPV''': First Person View | ||
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* '''FC''': Flight Controller | * '''FC''': Flight Controller | ||
* '''OSD''': On-Screen Display | * '''OSD''': On-Screen Display | ||
* '''SBS''': Soldier Borne Sensor | |||
* '''GCS''': Ground Control Station | |||
* '''Pixel Lock''': A computer-vision-based target-tracking mode found in advanced FPV and autonomous small UAS. Once the operator designates a subject (person, vehicle, structure, etc.), the onboard AI locks onto the target’s pixel representation in the video feed, continuously tracking it—even if GPS or radio communications are lost. | |||
== UAS Groups == | == UAS Groups == | ||
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! Group !! Weight (Max GTOW) !! Normal Op Altitude !! Max Speed !! DoD Label !! Common Roles !! Example Systems | ! Group !! Weight (Max GTOW) !! Normal Op Altitude !! Max Speed !! DoD Label !! Common Roles !! Example Systems | ||
|- | |- | ||
| '''Group 1''' || 0 – 20 lb || < 1 200 ft AGL || < 100 kt || | | '''microUAS (FAA) / Soldier Borne Sensor (SBS)(Military)''' || < 0.55 lb || < 100 ft AGL || < 30 kt || Army SBS || Individual soldier ISR, pocket/nano UAS || Black Hornet (example; any vendor may be selected)<ref>[https://armypubs.army.mil/epubs/DR_pubs/DR_a/pdf/web/ARN5966_AR_95-1_WEB_FINAL.pdf AR 95-1 Appendix E, p. 66]</ref> | ||
|- | |||
| '''Group 1''' || 0 – 20 lb || < 1 200 ft AGL || < 100 kt || Small sUAS || Platoon ISR, FPV-strike, point recon || RQ-28A SRR, DJI Mavic 3 <ref>[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/UAS_groups_of_the_United_States_military UAS groups of the United States military]</ref> | |||
|- | |- | ||
| '''Group 2''' || 21 – 55 lb || < 3 500 ft AGL || < 250 kt || Small sUAS || Company/Bn ISR, light kinetic, precision resupply || RQ-11 Raven, RQ-20 Puma, ScanEagle <ref>[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/UAS_groups_of_the_United_States_military UAS groups of the United States military]</ref> <ref>[https://www.e-education.psu.edu/geog892/node/5 UAS groups of the United States military]</ref> | | '''Group 2''' || 21 – 55 lb || < 3 500 ft AGL || < 250 kt || Small sUAS || Company/Bn ISR, light kinetic, precision resupply || RQ-11 Raven, RQ-20 Puma, ScanEagle <ref>[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/UAS_groups_of_the_United_States_military UAS groups of the United States military]</ref> <ref>[https://www.e-education.psu.edu/geog892/node/5 UAS groups of the United States military]</ref> | ||
|- | |- | ||
| '''Group 3''' || 56 – 1 320 lb || < 18 000 ft MSL || < 250 kt || "Large" sUAS (*still tactical*) || Bn/brigade ISR, hybrid-VTOL cargo, comms relay || RQ-7 Shadow, V-BAT, RQ-21 Blackjack <ref>[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/UAS_groups_of_the_United_States_military UAS groups of the United States military]</ref> | | '''Group 3''' || 56 – 1 320 lb || < 18 000 ft MSL || < 250 kt || "Large" sUAS (*still tactical*) || Bn/brigade ISR, hybrid-VTOL cargo, comms relay || YRQ-30A, RQ-7 Shadow, V-BAT, RQ-21 Blackjack <ref>[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/UAS_groups_of_the_United_States_military UAS groups of the United States military]</ref> | ||
|- | |- | ||
| '''Group 4''' || > 1 320 lb || < 18 000 ft MSL || Any || Tactical UAS (not small) || Armed ISR, EW, extended-range strike || MQ-1C Gray Eagle, MQ-8B Fire Scout <ref>[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/UAS_groups_of_the_United_States_military UAS groups of the United States military]</ref> | | '''Group 4''' || > 1 320 lb || < 18 000 ft MSL || Any || Tactical UAS (not small) || Armed ISR, EW, extended-range strike || MQ-1C Gray Eagle, MQ-8B Fire Scout <ref>[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/UAS_groups_of_the_United_States_military UAS groups of the United States military]</ref> | ||
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| '''RC / Video''' || DJI OcuSync 2.4 / 5.8 GHz || ExpressLRS RX + 5.8 GHz 1 W VTX || Crossfire or ELRS; VTX taped on | | '''RC / Video''' || DJI OcuSync 2.4 / 5.8 GHz || ExpressLRS RX + 5.8 GHz 1 W VTX || Crossfire or ELRS; VTX taped on | ||
|- | |- | ||
| '''Typical payload''' || 4 K gimbal cam; grenade drop-mod || 3-D-printed nose with PG-7V or 40 mm HEDP; | | '''Typical payload''' || 4 K gimbal cam; grenade drop-mod || 3-D-printed nose with PG-7V or 40 mm HEDP; ESAD PCB || Stick spear, thermite charge, or small PG-7 | ||
|} | |} | ||
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* '''Battery chemistry''' – 6 S packs give power head-room for high-g dive-attacks. | * '''Battery chemistry''' – 6 S packs give power head-room for high-g dive-attacks. | ||
* '''ELRS / Crossfire''' – sub-gram RXs, 10–20 km L-o-S, frequency-hopping anti-jam. | * '''ELRS / Crossfire''' – sub-gram RXs, 10–20 km L-o-S, frequency-hopping anti-jam. | ||
* ''' | * '''ESAD add-ons''' – simple MOSFET safe/arm PCB triggered by spare FC output; dual-command logic prevents accidental detonation. | ||
=== Minimal Shopping List === | === Minimal Shopping List === | ||
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# RC receiver & antennas | # RC receiver & antennas | ||
# Power-distribution harness & wiring | # Power-distribution harness & wiring | ||
# *Optional:* FPV camera + VTX, payload mount, | # *Optional:* FPV camera + VTX, payload mount, ESAD module if carrying explosives | ||
== Roles Involving sUAS == | == Roles Involving sUAS == | ||
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;Maintenance Technician | ;Maintenance Technician | ||
: Performs pre-flight checks, field repairs, firmware updates, battery health monitoring, and post-flight inspections. | : Performs pre-flight checks, field repairs, firmware updates, battery health monitoring, and post-flight inspections. | ||
; | ;ESAD Armorer | ||
: Implements Electronic Safe-and-Arm procedures for any explosive payload; verifies dual-command logic before arming. | : Implements Electronic Safe-and-Arm procedures for any explosive payload; verifies dual-command logic before arming. | ||
;Data Analyst / Intelligence Cell | ;Data Analyst / Intelligence Cell |