Threats · Threat Class
Group 3 UAS
Tactical UAS weighing up to 1,320 lb, normally operated below 18,000 ft mean sea level (the U.S. instrument-flight-rules Class A airspace floor) at under 250 knots. This is the first group where DoD doctrine switches the altitude reference from AGL to MSL.
Tactical UAS weighing up to 1,320 lb, normally operated below 18,000 ft mean sea level (the U.S. instrument-flight-rules Class A airspace floor) at under 250 knots. This is the first group where DoD doctrine switches the altitude reference from AGL to MSL.
Key facts
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| FAA/DoD Group | 3 |
| Weight band | 55–1,320 lb |
| Normal altitude | <18,000 ft MSL |
| Max speed | <250 kt |
| Typical control link | 900 MHz/2.4 GHz line-of-sight, L-band SATCOM on larger platforms |
| Remote ID applicable | No — Part 89 targets sUAS; Group 3+ platforms are handled under separate airspace-integration rules |
Why it matters operationally
Group 3 tactical UAS are a recurring subject of public defense-professional literature (e.g. Marine Corps Association) examining their relevance and survivability in contested-airspace scenarios.
Public examples
- RQ-21A Blackjack — a Navy/Marine Corps tactical UAS publicly described as a Group 3 system, gross weight within the 55–1,320 lb band per its public program documentation
Sources
- Defense Primer: Categories of Uncrewed Aircraft Systems — Congressional Research Service (Library of Congress, congress.gov)
- RQ-21A Blackjack Fact File — U.S. Navy
- RQ-21A Blackjack Unmanned Aircraft System — FY2015 Annual Report — DoD Office of the Director, Operational Test and Evaluation
Standards & authorities
- Part 89
Related in threats
Frequently asked
What is Group 3 UAS?
Tactical UAS weighing up to 1,320 lb, normally operated below 18,000 ft mean sea level (the U.S. instrument-flight-rules Class A airspace floor) at under 250 knots. This is the first group where DoD doctrine switches the altitude reference from AGL to MSL.
Why does Group 3 UAS matter for counter-UAS?
Group 3 tactical UAS are a recurring subject of public defense-professional literature (e.g. Marine Corps Association) examining their relevance and survivability in contested-airspace scenarios.