What percentage range of missions can sUAS perform compared to traditional manned aircraft?

• A. 5 to 15
• B. 20 to 30
• C. 50 to 70
• D. 33 to 75

Answer: (D)

sUAS have become capable enough to handle a large portion of missions that would otherwise require manned aircraft, especially routine, repetitive, or sensor-based tasks like surveying, mapping, inspection, and real-time video surveillance. The limitations come from payload capacity, endurance, weather constraints, and regulatory airspace considerations, which means some missions still require a manned aircraft. Because of this mix of capabilities and constraints, the practical share of missions that sUAS can perform falls roughly in a wide range—from about one-third up to three-quarters of what traditional manned aircraft can do. That broad range is why the best answer is 33 to 75 percent.