unmanned

American  

[uhn-mand] / ˌʌnˈmænd /

adjective

1. without the physical presence of a person or people on board; uncrewed.

   an unmanned spacecraft.

2. Falconry. (of a captured hawk) untrained for hunting with a master; unmade.

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unmanned British  

/ ʌnˈmænd /

adjective

1. lacking personnel or crew

   an unmanned ship

2. (of aircraft, spacecraft, etc) operated by automatic or remote control

3. uninhabited

4. falconry (of a hawk or falcon) not yet trained to accept humans

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Etymology

Origin of unmanned

First recorded in 1535–45; un- ¹ ( def. ) + manned ( def. )

Example Sentences

The Strait of Hormuz could prove to be a testing ground for unmanned technology and AI in mine clearance.

From The Wall Street Journal

"If a hostile regime survives, it will likely seek to begin a years-long effort to rebuild its military, missiles and UAV forces," Gabbard said, referring to unmanned aerial vehicles, or drones.

From Barron's

On Friday, the Pentagon awarded privately held Anduril a $20 billion contract in part to counter unmanned aerial systems — drones, that is.

From MarketWatch

Libyan port officials said initially that the tanker had sunk, but it has been floating, unmanned and dangerous ever since.

From BBC

Defense companies are developing unmanned and AI technologies for mine clearance, but these remain largely untested and limited in production.

From The Wall Street Journal