Unmanned aerial vehicle

An aircraft that flies without a human pilot aboard, controlled remotely or operating autonomously. It may be reusable or expendable and can carry sensors, cargo, or other equipment.

Flight controller: An electronic system that stabilizes an aircraft and translates control inputs into commands for its actuators. It turns remote commands or autonomous guidance into stable aircraft motion.
Aerial photography: The practice of making photographs from an airborne platform. Small aircraft make overhead imaging possible without a crewed flight.
Manned aircraft: An aircraft that carries a human pilot or other crew aboard during flight. Its onboard crew can make decisions directly, unlike an unmanned aircraft.
Unmanned aircraft system: An unmanned aircraft together with its control station, communications links, and supporting equipment. The aircraft is only one part of the system required to operate it.
Autopilot: A system that controls an aircraft's flight path with limited continuous input from a human operator. It lets an unmanned aircraft maintain or follow a route without constant manual steering.
Photogrammetry: The measurement of objects and terrain from photographs, often to create maps or three-dimensional models. Overlapping aerial images can be processed into accurate terrain models.
Uncrewed spacecraft: A spacecraft that operates without people aboard, using remote commands or onboard automation. It is uncrewed like an unmanned aircraft but operates beyond Earth's atmosphere.
Beyond visual line of sight: Aircraft operation in which the pilot cannot maintain direct unaided visual contact with the aircraft. Such flights extend reach but require reliable links, procedures, and risk controls.
Inertial navigation system: A navigation system that estimates position and motion from accelerometers and gyroscopes. It can estimate an aircraft's movement when satellite navigation is unavailable.
Precision agriculture: Farm management that uses spatial data and targeted interventions to account for variation within fields. Aerial sensors map crop conditions and guide targeted inspection or treatment.

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