UAVs

What are UAVs?

An unmanned aerial vehicle is an airborne platform with no pilot on board. The body or frame houses a flight controller, navigation system, communication module, power supply, and payload, such as a daylight camera, thermal imaging camera, or other sensor. A UAV can fly under operator control or complete part of its route using autopilot commands. Unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) operate according to the same principle.

What types of unmanned aerial vehicles are there?

The most common designs include:

• Multicopters — take off vertically, can hover over a specific point, and are well suited for surveying a small area. For larger 10–13-inch models, flight time is often around 20–40 minutes (specialized, durable FPV drone frames are used to build them);
• Fixed-wing UAVs — stay airborne using their wings, so they consume less energy during horizontal flight. Electric models can remain airborne for 60–180 minutes and maintain a cruising speed of around 60–100 km/h;
• VTOL — combines a wing with vertical takeoff and landing so that it can operate without a separate runway.

For fixed-wing platforms, the wingspan can start at approximately 1.4 m, while the payload, depending on the class, ranges from several hundred grams to several kilograms.

What are UAVs used for?

A reconnaissance UAV transmits video to the operator from a daylight, low-light, or thermal imaging camera. Signal relay tasks in challenging conditions are handled by an FPV repeater drone, which makes it possible to operate over significant distances. In the civilian sector, drones and specialized agricultural drones are used for mapping, field inspections, construction, power line inspections, and damage detection. For bomber drones, the payload, propulsion system, and energy reserve are calculated separately. To protect facilities from unwanted unmanned aircraft, anti-drone rifles are used.

Features of unmanned aerial vehicles

When comparing models, check:

• Flight time — for multicopters, this is usually measured in tens of minutes, while a fixed-wing UAV can operate for one to several hours;
• Speed — for fixed-wing models, the cruising speed is often 60–100 km/h, while the maximum speed can exceed 120 km/h, and the right drone motors ensure stable operation at maximum settings;
• Payload — the camera, thermal imaging camera, and other modules are included in the aircraft's allowable takeoff weight;
• Power supply — compact electric UAVs can use, among other options, 6S batteries; capacity depends on the motors, weight, and flight time;
• Optics — modern optical and thermal imaging drone cameras provide stabilization, high resolution, and a clear image even in low-light conditions.

How to choose a UAV?

Choose the design based on your flight requirements. If the drone needs to stay over one area for a long time, change altitude in place, and work precisely with a camera, a multicopter is a better fit. For routes covering tens of kilometers, fixed-wing UAVs are more commonly used: the wing generates lift during forward motion, so the energy reserve is consumed more slowly than with a multicopter, which remains airborne continuously by running its propellers. After that, check the flight time with the installed payload, maximum takeoff weight, launch method, camera, operating temperature range, and power supply kit. Quadcopters and other drones are selected according to the same principle.

Where to buy unmanned aerial vehicles?

When selecting a UAV, consider its specifications, including the installed camera and required payload. On Flash Army, you can choose a UAV based on flight duration, takeoff weight, camera type, and launch method. Before placing your order, you can specify the battery pack, ground equipment, and actual configuration of a particular UAV.