An Unmanned aerial vehicle or UAV is an aircraft that does not have a human pilot. It is a part of the unmanned aircraft system. Unmanned aircraft systems include a UAV, a ground-based controller, and a communication system. These aircraft are also known as drones, quite popular for both military and non-military purposes.
Human operators can control the flight with either remote control or various computers. With its increasing popularity, you may have thought to get acquainted with this. That’s why today we are here to help you with our article. So, let’s start.
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Types of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
Let’s first understand the types of unmanned aerial vehicles. All UAVs usually fall into one of the six functional categories. However, multi-role UAVs are also available today.
1. Combat Category: These aircraft are capable of attacking in the air or ground. These are mainly military drones. They can carry missiles, ATGMs, and bombs for drone strikes. Also, they are equally useful in battlefield intelligence and surveillance. However, these drones can perform high-risk missions, even suicidal missions.
2. Reconnaissance: Drones of this unmanned aerial vehicle category act as the helper of the combat category. The main purpose of these drones is to provide battlefield intelligence. They can’t carry missiles or bombs for air-strike.
3. Target and Decoy: It protects friendly aircraft and ground units in a close situation. Also, it targets enemy troops with aerial gunnery.
4. Logistics: Drones of this category are capable of delivering cargo.
5. Civil and Commercial UAVs: These drones fall under non-military aerial vehicles. They also help in agriculture and transport data collection and civil surveillance.
6. Research and Development: These drones are made for research purposes. They belong to any of the above-mentioned categories. They also help in the research and development of new technology for unmanned aerial vehicle services. These were the main classification of UAVs. However, there are so many other categories based on altitude and size. Now we will look into the components of an unmanned aerial vehicle.
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Components of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
Crewed and unscrewed aircraft generally have similar physical components if they are of the same type. However, the main exceptions are the cockpit and life support system.
Also, the non-military UAVs are smaller in size than crewed aircraft. They carry only a camera and sometimes supplies that are considerably less in weight. Now we will describe individual parts of an unmanned aerial vehicle.
1. Body
As we have mentioned earlier, the body of UAVs is smaller in size. The primary feature of an unmanned aerial vehicle is the absence of the cockpit area and windows. However, the rest appearance is the same as crewed aerial vehicles.
2. Power Supply and Platform
Small and non-military UAVs use lithium-polymer batteries. However, larger vehicles depend on conventional aeroplane engines. The energy requirement depends on the size and purpose of that particular vehicle.
The energy density and power of Li-Po batteries are very less compared to gasoline or hydrogen. So, you can’t rely on battery power to run any millinery vehicle. Also, the heavy use of civil and commercial vehicles should use hydrogen or gasoline as fuel.
3. Computing
The computing capacity of unmanned aerial vehicles is very advanced. From flight to landing, all the activities are controlled by computers. Small UAVs use system controller software or flight controller board. On the other hand, large drones use an autopilot processor.
4. Sensors
Sensors play an important role in UAVs. Position and movement sensors provide information about the position of the aircraft. Also, there are sensors to collect data from the surrounding environment.
In combat aircraft, sensors also help to detect the target’s movement and distance. Also, UAVs need sensors to send information regarding their internal state.
5. Actuators
Unmanned aerial vehicles use digital electronic speed controllers that control the RPM of the motors. These controllers are placed in contact with the motors and propellers or servomotors and weapons. Also, they can control payload actuators, LEDs, and speakers.
6. Software
UAV depends on flight stack or autopilot for flight. This software obtains data from sensors, control motors to ensure stability. Also, it facilitates ground clearance and planning of the mission.
7. Flight Controls
Some UAVs use self-control systems that determine the flight as per need. Especially the combat and military aircraft use this system. However, the other non-military aircraft usually do not have a self-control system. Human or robotic operators control them.
8. Communications
Most of the drones use radio for communication with the operator. Also, it can exchange video and other data with other aerial vehicles. In most modern aircraft, video transmission is mandatory.
On the other hand, military aerial vehicles use more advanced technology. Combat aircraft use satellite navigation systems. They implement a separate video radio link where it is required.
These were the main parts of an unmanned aerial vehicle. Also, there are many other parts. We have described only the basic parts here for your understanding. Now let’s look into the applications of UAVs.
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Applications of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
You can use an unmanned aerial vehicle in multiple fields – civil, commercial, and military. Also, in every field, they have multiple applications.
1. Civil Applications: Mainly civil and commercial UAVs are active in this category. They collect data from the targeted areas and helps in surveillance. Also, drones are useful in disaster relief and reinforcement services.
2. Commercial Applications: Aerial vehicles have so many uses in this sector. Aerial surveillance, film-shooting, journalism, cargo transport are a few of them. Also, they have huge applications in mining, forestry, solar farming, and agriculture.
3. Military: The use of unmanned aerial vehicles in the military has increased considerably in recent times. They have multiple uses like air-strike, the assistance of crewed aircraft, and surveillance. The benefit of using UAVs for military purposes is minimal collateral damage. Also, UAVs can accomplish high-risk missions that humans can’t do.
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Conclusion
So, we have provided almost all the information regarding unmanned aerial vehicles. However, this field is huge enough to cover within a short time. There are so many researches are going on in this field. So, there are so many chances of improvisation in this technology.
