Cover Theme Article: Unmanned Aerial Vehicles Architecture, Classification, and Applications of Contemporary Unmanned Aerial Vehicles Yousef Alghamdi and Arslan Munir Kansas State University Hung Manh La University of Nevada Reno Abstract-Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) have been gaining significant attention in recent times as they are becoming increasingly accessible and easier to use. This article serves as an introduction to UAV systems' architecture, classification, and applications to help researchers and practitioners starting in this field get adequate information to understand the current state of UAV technologies. The article starts by inspecting the UAVs' body configuration styles and explains the physical components and sensors that are necessary to operate and fly aUAV system. The article also provides a comparison of several components for state-of-the-art UAVs. The article further discusses different propulsion methods and various payloads that could bemounted on the UAV. The article then explores the classification of UAVs followed by the application of UAVs in different domains, such as recreational, commercial, andmilitary. Finally, the article provides a discussion of futuristic technologies and applications of UAVs alongwith their associated challenges. Digital Object Identifier 10.1109/MCE.2021.3063945 Date ofpublication 4 March 2021; date ofcurrent version 6 October 2021. November/December 2021 Published by the IEEE Consumer Technology Society 2162-2248 ß 2021 IEEE 9