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SUAS Breakdown

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small Unmanned Aerial Systems

Terms

  • Unmanned aircraft: The term "unmanned aircraft" means an aircraft that is operated without the possibility of direct human intervention from within or on the aircraft. [1]
  • Unmanned aircraft system: The term "unmanned aircraft system" means an unmanned aircraft and associated elements (including communication links and the components that control the unmanned aircraft) that are required for the operator to operate safely and efficiently in the national airspace system. [2]
  • Small unmanned aircraft: The term "small unmanned aircraft" means an unmanned aircraft weighing less than 55 pounds, including the weight of anything attached to or carried by the aircraft. [3]
  • 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.
  • ELRS: Extended Low Rate of Spreading
  • ESCs: Electronic Speed Controllers
  • FPV: First Person View
  • IMU: Inertial Measurement Unit
  • GPS: Global Positioning System
  • GNSS: Global Navigation Satellite System
  • VTX: Video Transmitter
  • RX: Receiver
  • FC: Flight Controller
  • OSD: On-Screen Display
  • SBS: Soldier Borne Sensor
  • GCS: Ground Control Station

UAS Groups

Group Weight (Max GTOW) Normal Op Altitude Max Speed DoD Label Common Roles Example Systems
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)[4]
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 [5]
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 [6] [7]
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 [8]
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 [9]
Group 5 > 1 320 lb > 18 000 ft MSL Any Strategic UAS (not small) HALE ISR/strike, deep-strike, maritime patrol MQ-9 Reaper, RQ-4 Global Hawk, MQ-4C Triton [10]


sUAS Components

sUAS — Core Flight Hardware (Must Have)

Sub-system Key parts Why it's indispensable
Airframe / Structure Frame plates or fuselage; arms/booms; landing skids/bumper Holds everything together and sets thrust line / CG
Propulsion Brushless motors (2205–2807 KV); matching propellers; ESCs (20–60 A, BLHeli-32) Converts electrical energy into thrust and steering authority
Energy Li-Po/Li-ion battery pack (4 S–6 S) / hybrid or fuel engine Powers all onboard systems; sets endurance ceiling
Flight-control brain IMU-equipped flight controller; GPS/GNSS module; barometer; magnetometer Runs autopilot firmware; fuses sensor data; closes control loops
C2 / Telemetry RC receiver (ELRS, Crossfire, DJI OcuSync); datalink radio; antennas Operator commands in, health & video out
Power distribution & wiring XT60/XT90 lead; silicone-insulated loom; power-distribution board Safely routes high-current battery output to ESCs & avionics
Optional but common FPV / EO-IR camera; video TX; companion computer; payload mount Adds ISR or strike capability

Fielded Configurations (Ukraine 2023–25)

COTS Quad
(DJI Mavic 3 class)		 FPV Kamikaze
(DIY 5″–7″)		 Stick-frame Improvised
Frame Injection-moulded, folding arms 5–7″ carbon X-frame Pine / bamboo sticks; zip-ties
Motors Integrated in arm 2306 / 2307 / 2807 6 S outrunners Cheap 2306 1900 KV sets
Propellers Folding 9–9.4″ 2-blade 5–7″ tri-blade poly-carbonate Any 5″ nylon/carbon pair
ESCs Integrated 4-in-1 45–60 A BLHeli-32 (singles or 4-in-1) Same, heat-shrunk to stick arm
Battery Smart 4 S 5000 mAh Li-Po (≈77 Wh) 6 S 1300–1800 mAh Li-Po Recycled 6 S or parallel tool packs
FC firmware DJI proprietary Betaflight / iNav or ArduPilot Same on low-cost F722 boards
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; ESAD PCB Stick spear, thermite charge, or small PG-7

Why Each Piece Matters

  • Propellers – diameter + pitch must suit motor KV & voltage; wrong combo causes brown-outs or stalls.
  • Motors – 2306/07 outrunners deliver ≈1 kg thrust each on 6 S × 5″ props (enough for 0.5 kg warhead 15–20 km).
  • ESCs – BLHeli-32 flashed to 48 kHz reduces acoustic signature.
  • Frame material – carbon = rigid & low-RF; wood sticks are cheap, radar-transparent, disposable.
  • 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.
  • ESAD add-ons – simple MOSFET safe/arm PCB triggered by spare FC output; dual-command logic prevents accidental detonation.

Minimal Shopping List

  1. Four brushless motors + matching props
  2. Four ESCs (or one 4-in-1 board)
  3. Li-Po battery + XT60 lead
  4. Basic frame (sticks, carbon, or 3-D-printed)
  5. Flight-controller stack w/ IMU + GPS puck
  6. RC receiver & antennas
  7. Power-distribution harness & wiring
  8. *Optional:* FPV camera + VTX, payload mount, ESAD module if carrying explosives

Roles Involving sUAS

Pilot / Operator
Directly controls the aircraft (manual, semi-autonomous, or autonomous modes) and executes the mission profile.
Payload / Sensor Operator
Manages cameras, ISR sensors, or munitions; responsible for target acquisition, release, or data capture.
Mission Planner
Builds flight plans, waypoints, geofences, and contingency procedures; uploads mission data to the FC/GCS.
Launch & Recovery Crew
Handles physical launch methods (hand-launch, bungee, catapult, VTOL spool-up) and safe recovery or retrieval.
Maintenance Technician
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.
Data Analyst / Intelligence Cell
Processes collected imagery/telemetry into actionable intelligence or battle-damage assessments.
Instructor / Standardization Pilot
Trains crews, maintains SOPs, and ensures compliance with regulatory and tactical standards.


References

  1. ↑ 49 U.S.C. § 44801(9)
  2. ↑ 49 U.S.C. § 44801(9)
  3. ↑ 49 U.S.C. § 44801(9)
  4. ↑ AR 95-1 Appendix E, p. 66
  5. ↑ UAS groups of the United States military
  6. ↑ UAS groups of the United States military
  7. ↑ UAS groups of the United States military
  8. ↑ UAS groups of the United States military
  9. ↑ UAS groups of the United States military
  10. ↑ UAS groups of the United States military
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