UAV
noun
plural UAVs
: rpv
UAVs, as the Pentagon calls them, are operated not unlike the hobbyist's remote-controlled airplanes; soldiers on the ground man computer stations with controls that fly the aircraft.—
Daniel G. Dupont
Daniel G. DupontExamples of UAV in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
This approach reduces the computing workload and allows the UAV to quickly react to obstacles while maintaining a smooth and efficient flight path.
—Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 19 May 2026
Finally, early warning systems employing acoustic sensors, optical trackers, and passive radio frequency detection provide critical situational awareness, enabling timely engagement of incoming UAV threats.
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 8 May 2026
One of the biggest hitters in the conventional arsenal merged with drone technology, as the US Army tested a bunker-buster warhead combined with an expendable Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) for field testing at Redstone Arsenal in Alabama.
—New Atlas, 4 May 2026
Multiple drones crossed into NATO member Finland, officials said on Sunday, the latest in a spate of uncrewed aerial vehicle (UAV) incidents hitting the alliance's eastern flank.
—Ellie Cook, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Mar. 2026
There's also the Shahed — an expendable unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) used to target U.S. military bases in the Gulf and linked to attacks on shipping in the Persian Gulf.
—Scott Neuman, NPR, 18 Mar. 2026
Weapons storage facilities, UAV storage facilities, ballistic missiles, defense systems and missile launchers were struck, the Israel Defense Forces said.
—CBS News, 13 Mar. 2026
Fox News Digital gained access to one of Israel’s most experienced and veteran UAV operators from Squadron 200.
—Benjamin Weinthal, FOXNews.com, 13 Mar. 2026
Depending on the specific UAV platform, the FAA attributed between 20% and 100% of Army and Air Force UAV crashes caused by human error through 2004 to poor interface design.
—Missy Cummings, IEEE Spectrum, 2 Mar. 2026
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Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 19 May 2026
Finally, early warning systems employing acoustic sensors, optical trackers, and passive radio frequency detection provide critical situational awareness, enabling timely engagement of incoming UAV threats.
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 8 May 2026
One of the biggest hitters in the conventional arsenal merged with drone technology, as the US Army tested a bunker-buster warhead combined with an expendable Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) for field testing at Redstone Arsenal in Alabama.
—New Atlas, 4 May 2026
Multiple drones crossed into NATO member Finland, officials said on Sunday, the latest in a spate of uncrewed aerial vehicle (UAV) incidents hitting the alliance's eastern flank.
—Ellie Cook, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Mar. 2026
There's also the Shahed — an expendable unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) used to target U.S. military bases in the Gulf and linked to attacks on shipping in the Persian Gulf.
—Scott Neuman, NPR, 18 Mar. 2026
Weapons storage facilities, UAV storage facilities, ballistic missiles, defense systems and missile launchers were struck, the Israel Defense Forces said.
—CBS News, 13 Mar. 2026
Fox News Digital gained access to one of Israel’s most experienced and veteran UAV operators from Squadron 200.
—Benjamin Weinthal, FOXNews.com, 13 Mar. 2026
Depending on the specific UAV platform, the FAA attributed between 20% and 100% of Army and Air Force UAV crashes caused by human error through 2004 to poor interface design.
—Missy Cummings, IEEE Spectrum, 2 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“UAV.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/UAV. Accessed 21 May. 2026.
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