Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicle (UCAV)
(1) (ee) “Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicle (UCAV)” means an unmanned military aircraft of any size which carries and launches a weapon, or which can use on-board technology to direct such a weapon to a target.
[Commentary]
- Unmanned Combat Aerial vehicles (UCAV) are armed UAVs (see Rule 1 (dd)) that may be used to attack targets. The UCAV may be remotely controlled and piloted. The various weapons that UCAVs carry can be controlled either (i) remotely; or (ii) by on-board systems. UCAVs often incorporate infra-red or TV sensors, or a sensor-suite consisting of multiple sensors.
- Very few States currently field UCAVs. However, extensive use by the US, particularly in Afghanistan, has made their impact on the future battlefield clear-cut.
Categories: Section A: Definitions
