One-way attack drone

Not to be confused with Loitering munition or Unmanned combat aerial vehicle.

A one-way attack drone (OWA-UAV or OWA drone) is a type of self-destructive unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) designed to strike a target by crashing into it with an integrated warhead. Common terms like suicide drone, kamikaze drone or exploding drone are used for both one-way attack drone and loitering munition. Those type of drones are self destructive similar to the loitering munitions. However, the functions of loitering munitions and one-way attack drones are not the same. The loitering munitions typically feature human-in-the-loop control and the ability to loiter or "hunt" for targets before striking remotely by a human operator. On the other hand, one-way attack drones are often launched against pre-programmed coordinates. One-way attack drone guidance systems vary by model. One type of one-way attack drone uses satellite positioning to attack static targets and lacks the electro-optical targeting sensor or data links required for terminal guidance by a human operator. On the other hand, another type of one-way attack drone uses artificial intelligence (AI) with electro-optical targeting sensors for more precise attacks even when it still lacks a human operator for terminal guidance. They are frequently described by defense analysts as cost-effective and slower alternative of cruise missiles rather than traditional drones.

The term gained significant prominence during the Russo-Ukrainian war, particularly with the widespread use of the Iranian-designed HESA Shahed 136 by Russian forces (under the designation Geran-2).

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