Types of Drones

Drone platforms have two main types: 

  • rotor, including single-rotor or multi-rotor (such as   tricopters, quadcopters, hexacopters and octocoptors), as well as
  • fixed-wing, which include the hybrid VTOL (vertical takeoff and landing) drones that don’t require runways.

HTOL – horizontal take-off and landing


VTOL – vertical take-off and landing

Hybrid tilt rotor UAV


Helicopter tilt-wing UAV

Uncoventional egg-shaped UAV


Ducted fan UAV

Drones can be categorized as either personal/hobbyist or commercial/enterprise.​

Drones are also categorised according to their size and/or range and endurance and/or payload

 

UAVs Classification according to NATO

Category​

Size​

Maximum Gross Takeoff Weight (MGTW) (lbs)​

Normal Operating Altitude (ft)​

Airspeed (knots)​

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​
​
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