SUAS Breakdown

SUAS Breakdown

Small Unmanned Aerial Systems

An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) or unmanned aircraft system (UAS), commonly known as a drone, is an aircraft with no human pilot, crew, or passengers onboard, but rather is controlled remotely or is autonomous.

Terms

• Unmanned aircraft: The term “unmanned aircraft” means an aircraft that is operated without the possibility of direct human intervention from within or on the aircraft.

• Unmanned aircraft system: The term “unmanned aircraft system” means an unmanned aircraft and associated elements (including communication links and the components that control the unmanned aircraft) that are required for the operator to operate safely and efficiently in the national airspace system.

• Small unmanned aircraft: The term “small unmanned aircraft” means an unmanned aircraft weighing less than 55 pounds, including the weight of anything attached to or carried by the aircraft.

• ESAD: Electronic Safe and Arm Device - a critical safety component used in an ordnance system, not specific to UAS. Provides electronic control of arming and firing functions with multiple safety interlocks.

• ESAF: Electronic Safe Arming and Fire - legacy term more commonly used in UK contexts than ESAD. Both ESAD and ESAF are fundamental safety features in an ordnance system, ensuring proper arming sequences and preventing accidental detonation.

• ELRS: ExpressLRS – a low-latency, long-range radio protocol that transmits control inputs and optionally telemetry (like battery voltage, GPS, etc.)

• LRS: Long Range System used to maintain command & control links over 10–30+ km

• ESCs: Electronic Speed Controllers

• FPV: First Person View

• IMU: Inertial Measurement Unit

• GPS: Global Positioning System

• GNSS: Global Navigation Satellite System

• VTX: Video Transmitter

• RX: Receiver

• FC: Flight Controller

• OSD: On-Screen Display

• SBS: Soldier Borne Sensor

• GCS: Ground Control Station

• Pixel Lock: A computer-vision-based target-tracking mode found in advanced FPV and autonomous small UAS. Once the operator designates a subject (person, vehicle, structure, etc.), the onboard AI locks onto the target’s pixel representation in the video feed, continuously tracking it—even if GPS or radio communications are lost.

• Chimera Chip: Custom replacement chip installed after desoldering original DJI components; bypasses telemetry to Chinese servers and unlocks restricted features. Named for combining capabilities from multiple sources.

• Alt-PNT: Alternate Position, Navigation, and Timing - systems that provide navigation capability when GPS/GNSS is denied or jammed. Critical for contested environments.

• OcuSync: DJI’s proprietary low-latency video transmission protocol. Considered superior to alternatives; Ukrainian teams retain this capability while removing telemetry components.

• SWORD: Special Operations Robotics Detachment - US Special Forces organizational concept for robotics (broader than just drones/UAS).

UAS Groups

Group	Weight	Alt	Speed	DoD Label	Common Roles	Examples
microUAS/SBS	< 0.55 lb	< 100 ft AGL	< 30 kt	Army SBS	Individual soldier ISR, pocket/nano UAS	Black Hornet
Group 1	0 – 20 lb	< 1,200 ft AGL	< 100 kt	Small sUAS	Platoon ISR, FPV-strike, point recon	RQ-28A SRR, DJI Mavic 3
Group 2	21 – 55 lb	< 3,500 ft AGL	< 250 kt	Small sUAS	Company/Bn ISR, light kinetic, precision resupply	RQ-11 Raven, RQ-20 Puma, ScanEagle
Group 3	56 – 1,320 lb	< 18,000 ft MSL	< 250 kt	Large sUAS	Bn/brigade ISR, hybrid-VTOL cargo, comms relay	YRQ-30A, RQ-7 Shadow, V-BAT
Group 4	> 1,320 lb	< 18,000 ft MSL	Any	Tactical UAS	Armed ISR, EW, extended-range strike	MQ-1C Gray Eagle, MQ-8B Fire Scout
Group 5	> 1,320 lb	> 18,000 ft MSL	Any	Strategic UAS	HALE ISR/strike, deep-strike, maritime patrol	MQ-9 Reaper, RQ-4 Global Hawk

sUAS Components

Core Flight Hardware (Must Have)

Sub-system	Key parts	Why it’s indispensable
Airframe / Structure	Frame plates or fuselage; arms/booms; landing skids/bumper	Holds everything together and sets thrust line / CG
Propulsion	Brushless motors (2205–2807 KV); matching propellers; ESCs (20–60 A, BLHeli-32)	Converts electrical energy into thrust and steering authority
Energy	Li-Po/Li-ion battery pack (4 S–6 S) / hybrid or fuel engine	Powers all onboard systems; sets endurance ceiling
Flight-control brain	IMU-equipped flight controller; GPS/GNSS module; barometer; magnetometer	Runs autopilot firmware; fuses sensor data; closes control loops
C2 / Telemetry	RC receiver (ELRS, Crossfire, DJI OcuSync); datalink radio; antennas	Operator commands in, health & video out
Power distribution	XT60/XT90 lead; silicone-insulated loom; power-distribution board	Safely routes high-current battery output to ESCs & avionics
Optional	FPV / EO-IR camera; video TX; companion computer; payload mount	Adds ISR or strike capability

Fielded Configurations (Ukraine 2023–26)

Component	COTS Quad (DJI Mavic 3)	DJI Jailbroken	FPV Kamikaze (DIY 5″–7″)	Stick-frame Improvised
Frame	Injection-moulded, folding arms	Same DJI hardware	5–7″ carbon X-frame	Pine / bamboo sticks; zip-ties
Motors	Integrated in arm	Same	2306 / 2307 / 2807 6S outrunners	Cheap 2306 1900 KV sets
Propellers	Folding 9–9.4″ 2-blade	Same	5–7″ tri-blade poly-carbonate	Any 5″ nylon/carbon pair
ESCs	Integrated 4-in-1	Same	45–60 A BLHeli-32 (singles or 4-in-1)	Same, heat-shrunk to stick arm
Battery	Smart 4S 5000 mAh Li-Po (≈77 Wh)	Same	6S 1300–1800 mAh Li-Po	Recycled 6S or parallel tool packs
FC firmware	DJI proprietary	Modified; telemetry chips desoldered	Betaflight / iNav or ArduPilot	Same on low-cost F722 boards
RC / Video	DJI OcuSync 2.4 / 5.8 GHz	OcuSync with Chinese servers blocked	ExpressLRS RX + 5.8 GHz 1W VTX	Crossfire or ELRS; VTX taped on
Modifications	None	Chimera chip installed; security unlocks	N/A	N/A
Typical payload	4K gimbal cam; grenade drop-mod	Same + enhanced capabilities	3D-printed nose with PG-7V or 40mm HEDP; ESAD PCB	Stick spear, thermite charge

DJI Jailbreaking Process

Ukrainian teams modify DJI platforms because the hardware (camera, gimbal, OcuSync protocol, battery life) remains superior to alternatives. Per combat veterans, the modification process involves:

1. Circuit mapping – Trace entire diagram of data flows
2. Traffic analysis – Use Wireshark to identify Chinese server connections
3. Desoldering – Remove chips responsible for telemetry to external servers
4. Chimera chip installation – Replace with custom chips to unlock features
5. Security bypass – Remove DRM preventing capability unlocks

This practice has been refined over 4+ years of conflict and is now highly systematic.

Source

DJI modification details from Lito’s Drone Wars Podcast interview (Feb 2026)

Why Each Piece Matters

• Propellers – diameter + pitch must suit motor KV & voltage; wrong combo causes brown-outs or stalls.

• Motors – 2306/07 outrunners deliver ≈1 kg thrust each on 6 S × 5″ props (enough for 0.5 kg warhead 15–20 km).

• ESCs – BLHeli-32 flashed to 48 kHz reduces acoustic signature.

• Frame material – carbon = rigid & low-RF; wood sticks are cheap, radar-transparent, disposable.

• Battery chemistry – 6 S packs give power head-room for high-g dive-attacks.

• ELRS / Crossfire – sub-gram RXs, 10–20 km L-o-S, frequency-hopping anti-jam.

• ESAD add-ons – simple MOSFET safe/arm PCB triggered by spare FC output; dual-command logic prevents accidental detonation.

Minimal Shopping List

1. Four brushless motors + matching props
2. Four ESCs (or one 4-in-1 board)
3. Li-Po battery + XT60 lead
4. Basic frame (sticks, carbon, or 3-D-printed)
5. Flight-controller stack w/ IMU + GPS puck
6. RC receiver & antennas
7. Power-distribution harness & wiring
8. Optional: FPV camera + VTX, payload mount, ESAD module if carrying explosives

Roles Involving sUAS

;Pilot / Operator : Directly controls the aircraft (manual, semi-autonomous, or autonomous modes) and executes the mission profile. ;Payload / Sensor Operator : Manages cameras, ISR sensors, or munitions; responsible for target acquisition, release, or data capture. ;Mission Planner : Builds flight plans, waypoints, geofences, and contingency procedures; uploads mission data to the FC/GCS. ;Launch & Recovery Crew : Handles physical launch methods (hand-launch, bungee, catapult, VTOL spool-up) and safe recovery or retrieval. ;Maintenance Technician : Performs pre-flight checks, field repairs, firmware updates, battery health monitoring, and post-flight inspections. ;ESAD Armorer : Implements Electronic Safe-and-Arm procedures for any explosive payload; verifies dual-command logic before arming. ;Data Analyst / Intelligence Cell : Processes collected imagery/telemetry into actionable intelligence or battle-damage assessments. ;Instructor / Standardization Pilot : Trains crews, maintains SOPs, and ensures compliance with regulatory and tactical standards.

References

• Ukraine Has the BEST Drones in the World - Lito (Drone Wars Podcast) - Combat drone pilot discusses Ukrainian innovation, DJI modifications, and lessons learned
• Unmanned Systems - Main hub for UAS resources
• FPV sUAS Guide - First-person view drone operations and training