What are the three major types of UAVs?

What are the three major types of UAVs?

Exploring UAV Diversity: Multi-rotor, Fixed-wing, and Hybrid Types

Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), commonly known as drones, can be categorized into three main types based on their design, purpose and operational characteristics:

Multi-rotor UAVs: Rotor UAVs, also known as drones or quadcopters, have rotor blades that generate lift and enable vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) capabilities. Their versatility and agility make them well suited for missions that require hovering, close inspection and agile maneuvering in limited space.

  • Aerial photography and videography
  • Search and rescue operations
  • Agricultural monitoring
  • Infrastructure inspection. 
Include: 3-axis (3 rotors), 4-axis (4 rotors), 6-axis (6 rotors) and 8-axis (8 rotors).
 
Our foldable payload drone AF-FH50 is made of carbon fiber, lightweight and sturdy, with a detachable camera mount and a kickstand for dropping supplies. In addition, our self-developed cleaning drone AF-SC100 also adopts multi-rotor, which is convenient for the drone to work better operation.
 
Fixed-wing UAVs: These UAVs have long endurance, large coverage and fast flight speed. They are more suitable for tasks such as aerial mapping, pipeline and power line inspection. These UAVs are similar in design to traditional airplanes with fixed wings that provide lift during flight. They are usually very efficient in terms of range and endurance.

Fixed-wing drones are able to cover large areas effectively and are usually used for military, civil and commercial applications. the AF-C40 Carrier UAV is a fixed-wing structure with a carbon fiber fuselage, which can achieve a load capacity of 15kg to meet the needs of diverse missions.


Hybrid UAVs: Hybrid UAVs combine the features of both fixed-wing and rotary-wing designs, taking full advantage of the benefits of each type. These UAVs typically have the ability to take off and land vertically like a rotary wing UAV, while still having the range and efficiency of a fixed wing aircraft when flying forward.

  • Surveillance
  • Cargo transportation
  • Environmental monitoring
  • Military reconnaissance

 
Each type has its own pros and cons, and the choice depends on the specific requirements of the mission. While multi-rotor drones are well suited for missions that require maneuverability and hovering capabilities, fixed-wing drones are better suited for missions that require covering large distances or areas.

 

If you want to know more about UAV crafts related products, you can find them here.

 

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