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

Examples of UAV in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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The source also shed light on government plans to avoid international attention, including shipping UAV components separately via different routes to be assembled upon arrival—a method often used in previous weapons exports. Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 20 Mar. 2025 Service members engage in immersive exercises that simulate real-world drone incursions and hostile UAV threats. Sarah Alegre, Fox News, 20 Mar. 2025 Ascent Aerosystems The nano UAV measures 275 x 75 x 53 mm (10.8 x 2.9 x 2 in), and its electric propulsion system can zip it to a top speed of 45 mph (over 72 km/h) while its hotswap battery has a per-charge operational time of more than 30 minutes. Paul Ridden, New Atlas, 19 Mar. 2025 What to Know The U.S. Treasury Department said the sanctioned entities procured UAV components for an Iranian firm and its subsidiary that are both already under U.S. sanctions. Dan Perry, Newsweek, 28 Feb. 2025 The attack also came just days after Russia launched its largest-ever drone strike against Ukraine, firing 267 UAV’s across Ukraine, according to the Ukrainian Air Force. Caitlin McFall, Fox News, 25 Feb. 2025 The site protects the remains of the nuclear reactor that exploded in Chernobyl in 1986 and was reportedly set ablaze after an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) struck the NSC roof. Christina Shaw, Fox News, 14 Feb. 2025 In the policy, a drone is commonly referred to as an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) less than 55 pounds. Graham P. Johnson, Twin Cities, 7 Feb. 2025 This one at Amazon has all the features a beginner unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) pilot would want, including self-landing and auto-return. Olivia Young, Travel + Leisure, 1 Feb. 2025

Word History

Etymology

unmanned aerial vehicle

First Known Use

1986, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of UAV was in 1986

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“UAV.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/UAV. Accessed 25 Mar. 2025.

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