Threats · Threat Class
Group 2 UAS
Small tactical UAS heavier than Group 1 but still under 55 lb — the same upper weight bound the FAA uses for its small-UAS (sUAS) rule (14 CFR Part 107) — normally operated below 3,500 ft AGL at up to 250 knots.
Small tactical UAS heavier than Group 1 but still under 55 lb — the same upper weight bound the FAA uses for its small-UAS (sUAS) rule (14 CFR Part 107) — normally operated below 3,500 ft AGL at up to 250 knots.
Key facts
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| FAA/DoD Group | 2 |
| Weight band | 21–55 lb |
| Normal altitude | <3,500 ft AGL |
| Max speed | <250 kt |
| Typical control link | 2.4/5.8 GHz ISM, some 900 MHz |
| Remote ID applicable | Yes, unless operated under an FAA exception |
Why it matters operationally
Group 2 sits at the FAA’s own sUAS weight ceiling (55 lb, 14 CFR Part 107), making this class a common transition point between recreational/commercial small-UAS regulation and DoD group-based airspace-integration doctrine.
Public examples
- Small tactical UAS in the 21–55 lb DoD-published weight band (class definition only; no single vendor system named, consistent with the discipline used across this reference)
Sources
- Defense Primer: Categories of Uncrewed Aircraft Systems — Congressional Research Service (Library of Congress, congress.gov)
- ENR 8.3 — Large UAS (MGOW 55 lb or more), Aeronautical Information Publication — Federal Aviation Administration
Standards & authorities
- Part 107
Related in threats
Frequently asked
What is Group 2 UAS?
Small tactical UAS heavier than Group 1 but still under 55 lb — the same upper weight bound the FAA uses for its small-UAS (sUAS) rule (14 CFR Part 107) — normally operated below 3,500 ft AGL at up to 250 knots.
Why does Group 2 UAS matter for counter-UAS?
Group 2 sits at the FAA's own sUAS weight ceiling (55 lb, 14 CFR Part 107), making this class a common transition point between recreational/commercial small-UAS regulation and DoD group-based airspace-integration doctrine.