Design of unmanned aerial systems An Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) is a group of coordinated multidisciplinary elements for an aerial mission by employing various payloads in flying vehicle(s). In contrast an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) is a remotely piloted or self piloted aircraft that can carry payloads such as camera radar sensor and communications equipment. All flight operations (including takeoff and landing) are performed without on board human pilot. In news and media reports the expression drone as a short term is preferred