Threats · Threat Class
Group 4 UAS
Larger UAS exceeding 1,320 lb but normally operated below 18,000 ft MSL, at any airspeed — the DoD-published class boundary that separates Group 4 from the Group 3 weight ceiling below it and from Group 5's higher-altitude regime above it.
Larger UAS exceeding 1,320 lb but normally operated below 18,000 ft MSL, at any airspeed — the DoD-published class boundary that separates Group 4 from the Group 3 weight ceiling below it and from Group 5’s higher-altitude regime above it.
Key facts
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| FAA/DoD Group | 4 |
| Weight band | >1,320 lb |
| Normal altitude | <18,000 ft MSL |
| Max speed | Any airspeed |
| Typical control link | L-band SATCOM beyond-line-of-sight, UHF/L-band line-of-sight |
| Remote ID applicable | No |
Why it matters operationally
Group 4/5 platforms are the segment most often flown beyond visual line of sight over long durations, which is why their control links lean on SATCOM relay rather than short-range ISM bands.
Public examples
- Larger, sub-18,000-ft-altitude UAS exceeding the 1,320 lb Group 3 ceiling (class definition only; no single vendor system named)
Sources
- Defense Primer: Categories of Uncrewed Aircraft Systems — Congressional Research Service (Library of Congress, congress.gov)
- UAS groups of the United States military (public DoD-group tabulation) — Reference compiled from public DoD/Army sources
Related in threats
Frequently asked
What is Group 4 UAS?
Larger UAS exceeding 1,320 lb but normally operated below 18,000 ft MSL, at any airspeed — the DoD-published class boundary that separates Group 4 from the Group 3 weight ceiling below it and from Group 5's higher-altitude regime above it.
Why does Group 4 UAS matter for counter-UAS?
Group 4/5 platforms are the segment most often flown beyond visual line of sight over long durations, which is why their control links lean on SATCOM relay rather than short-range ISM bands.