An uncrewed aircraft system is more than the drone itself. It includes the aircraft, the ground control station, the communication link, navigation services, telemetry, and any payload such as cameras or sensors. In cyber security, the system view matters because attacks rarely target only the airframe; they often target the software, radio link, firmware, or operator workstation that makes the drone usable.
UAS components can be disrupted by jamming, spoofing, interception, malware on control devices, or unauthorized access to cloud and mission-planning tools. Defenders use the same system view to spot RF anomalies, validate firmware, secure operator credentials, and preserve telemetry and logs for investigation. Because a UAS blends physical and digital parts, it is a common target in sabotage, espionage, and counter-UAS operations.