Types of Drones: Multirotor RC Drones and more!

A drone is flying in the sky

In today’s technologically advanced world, the realm of drones is expanding rapidly, offering a plethora of functionalities and applications across various industries. From fixed-wing drones for military reconnaissance to multirotor RC drones for aerial photography, drones have become indispensable tools. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll delve into the diverse classifications of drones, shedding light on their configurations, applications, sizes and altitudes.

 

Classification Based on Flight Platform Configuration:.

a. Fixed-Wing Drones:
A flying vehicle with wings fixed to the fuselage, generating lift by creating relative motion with the incoming air. Fixed-wing drones are characterized by their long endurance, stable flight, and long-distance capabilities. They operate at high speeds under cruising conditions and require higher levels of skill for operation. Currently, they are particularly useful for tasks requiring long-range and high altitude, such as power line inspection and highway monitoring. They are commonly used by hobbyists in the remote-controlled aircraft community but have not yet achieved widespread adoption. They are relatively challenging to operate compared to multirotor drones.

A fixed-wing drone on display

b. Multirotor Drones:
A special type of drones with three or more rotor axes. Multirotor drones rely on multiple rotors to generate lift to balance the aircraft’s weight, allowing it to fly. By adjusting the speed of each rotor, the aircraft’s stability and attitude can be controlled. Therefore, multirotor aircraft can hover and fly at any speed within a certain range. Essentially, they serve as aerial platforms that can be equipped with various sensors, cameras, or even mechanical arms. They are easy to operate, and with simple training, anyone can learn to fly them. Most consumer-grade RC drones on the market today are predominantly multirotor models, with well-known brands such as DJI being popular choices. If you’re interested in getting started with multirotor RC drones, you can check out our beginner’s guide.

A rc drone is flying over the lake

c. Unmanned Helicopters:
Unmanned helicopters, featuring one or two powered rotors for lift and maneuvering, offer exceptional agility, vertical takeoff, and hovering capabilities. These drones typically outperform multirotors in terms of payload capacity, endurance, and wind resistance.

An unmanned helicopter in a grassy field

Classification Based on Usage:

a. Military Drones:
Military drones, controlled remotely or autonomously, play pivotal roles in reconnaissance, decoy operations, and combat scenarios. They offer convenience, flexibility, and reduced personnel casualties, playing an increasingly prominent role in modern warfare.

A drone conducting reconnaissance

b. Civilian Drones:
Civil drones include aerial photography drones, inspection drones, agricultural drones, meteorological drones, etc. As drone technology matures and manufacturing costs decrease, the civil drone market is booming, being utilized more in aerial photography, power line inspection, environmental monitoring, and other fields.

Agricultural drone working in the fields.

Classification Based on Scale:

Drones can be classified into micro, light, small, and large categories based on scale.

Micro drones: Weight ≤ 7kg
Light drones: 7kg < Weight ≤ 116kg
Small drones: 116kg < Weight ≤ 5700kg
Large drones: Weight > 5700kg

A drone on the table

Classification Based on Operational Altitude:

Drones can be classified into ultra-low altitude, low altitude, medium altitude, high altitude, and ultra-high altitude based on operational altitude.

Ultra-low altitude drones: Operational altitude ≤ 100m
Low altitude drones: 100m < Altitude ≤ 1000m
Medium altitude drones: 1000m < Altitude ≤ 7000m
High altitude drones: 7000m < Altitude ≤ 18000m
Ultra-high altitude drones: Altitude > 18000m

A high-flying drone

 

 

Shantou Leemook, a Chinese supplier of RC drones, provides a diverse selection catering to all levels, from beginner to professional. Explore their range online to find the ideal drone for your needs!

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