Narrative:

Aircraft X just landed and slow taxied off the runway. Then; from my perspective; it appeared aircraft X was clear of the active runway; so I cleared my next departure for takeoff. During my continual runway scan; I noticed that aircraft X appeared not to be moving; and due to the time of night; size/shape of the uav; and my prior understanding of the excessively slow taxi speeds of aircraft X; doubt started to surface in my mind whether or not aircraft X was clear of the runway. I continued to monitor the movement of aircraft X until its stationary position made me uncomfortable enough to begin a transmission that would have cancelled my departure's takeoff clearance. However; just as I keyed up; aircraft X began moving again; and I finished the transmission with 'disregard'. Nonetheless; the departing pilot advised that they were aborting takeoff. I continued to watch aircraft X slowly taxi into their parking ramp as I instructed my departure to exit the runway.my first issue with this event is the lack of training I have received in reference to handling unmanned aircraft. I was advised by another controller that the procedures for working uavs had been ironed out the same night despite the aircraft already having flown for a few months. Management has provided little to no training on procedures to work these aircraft who require special handling because they are unmanned. This lack of training is mostly due; in my estimation; to poor staffing and poor management. Had the shift been staffed properly; controllers wouldn't be placed in situations such as these where we're on position for extended periods of time; forced to take shortened breaks; etc. Moreover; I believe the supervisor in charge of the shift and responsible for preparing the control position rotation was negligent creating an unnecessarily strenuous rotation straining controller's abilities. Poor management is a systemic problem; and it must be addressed immediately. Until that happens; situations such as these will continue to happen as good controllers are put in unfortunate situations causing a threat to the safety of the national airspace system.

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Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: Tower Controller reported a UAV landed and was taxiing off the runway. The Controller cleared the next aircraft for departure then noticed the UAV may not be completely clear of the runway. The Controller canceled the takeoff clearance; sees the UAV moving; and says disregard. The aircraft departing advised they were aborting departure.

Narrative: Aircraft X just landed and slow taxied off the runway. Then; from my perspective; it appeared Aircraft X was clear of the active runway; so I cleared my next departure for takeoff. During my continual runway scan; I noticed that Aircraft X appeared not to be moving; and due to the time of night; size/shape of the UAV; and my prior understanding of the excessively slow taxi speeds of Aircraft X; doubt started to surface in my mind whether or not Aircraft X was clear of the runway. I continued to monitor the movement of Aircraft X until its stationary position made me uncomfortable enough to begin a transmission that would have cancelled my departure's takeoff clearance. However; just as I keyed up; Aircraft X began moving again; and I finished the transmission with 'DISREGARD'. Nonetheless; the departing pilot advised that they were aborting takeoff. I continued to watch Aircraft X slowly taxi into their parking ramp as I instructed my departure to exit the runway.My first issue with this event is the lack of training I have received in reference to handling unmanned aircraft. I was advised by another controller that the procedures for working UAVs had been ironed out the same night despite the aircraft already having flown for a few months. Management has provided little to no training on procedures to work these aircraft who require special handling because they are unmanned. This lack of training is mostly due; in my estimation; to poor staffing and poor management. Had the shift been staffed properly; controllers wouldn't be placed in situations such as these where we're on position for extended periods of time; forced to take shortened breaks; etc. Moreover; I believe the Supervisor in charge of the shift and responsible for preparing the control position rotation was negligent creating an unnecessarily strenuous rotation straining controller's abilities. Poor management is a systemic problem; and it must be addressed immediately. Until that happens; situations such as these will continue to happen as good controllers are put in unfortunate situations causing a threat to the safety of the National Airspace System.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site and automatically converted to unabbreviated mixed upper/lowercase text. This report is for informational purposes with no guarantee of accuracy. See NASA's ASRS site for official report.