So, what attributes does an aircraft require in order to deserve to be called a drone?
Is it the degree of remoteness of control? E.g., ability to be operated reliably beyond the visual range of its operator? Or the ability to operate autonomously or semi-autonomously?
Well, as an aerospace engineer, I don't think any vehicle should be called a drone. Unmanned [Combat] Aerial Vehicle is a better term, or even Remotely Piloted Vehicle.
But if we must use the label, let's say that a 'drone' meets one of the following:
* Has weapons
* Operates autonomously
* Operates over the horizon
* Requires runway facilities -- large remotely-piloted aircraft
Everything else is just RC, including the quadrotors in the article.
Is it the degree of remoteness of control? E.g., ability to be operated reliably beyond the visual range of its operator? Or the ability to operate autonomously or semi-autonomously?