diff --git a/ArduPlane/Parameters.cpp b/ArduPlane/Parameters.cpp
index b27ac34693..cda089e558 100644
--- a/ArduPlane/Parameters.cpp
+++ b/ArduPlane/Parameters.cpp
@@ -18,14 +18,6 @@ const AP_Param::Info Plane::var_info[] = {
     // @User: Advanced
     GSCALAR(format_version,         "FORMAT_VERSION", 0),
 
-    // @Param: SYSID_SW_TYPE
-    // @DisplayName: Software Type
-    // @Description: This is used by the ground station to recognise the software type (eg ArduPlane vs ArduCopter)
-    // @Values: 0:ArduPlane,4:AntennaTracker,10:Copter,20:Rover,40:ArduSub
-    // @User: Advanced
-    // @ReadOnly: True
-    GSCALAR(software_type,          "SYSID_SW_TYPE",  Parameters::k_software_type),
-
     // @Param: SYSID_THISMAV
     // @DisplayName: MAVLink system ID of this vehicle
     // @Description: Allows setting an individual MAVLink system id for this vehicle to distinguish it from others on the same network
diff --git a/ArduPlane/Parameters.h b/ArduPlane/Parameters.h
index 52f67ffc66..4115fc411e 100644
--- a/ArduPlane/Parameters.h
+++ b/ArduPlane/Parameters.h
@@ -35,18 +35,11 @@ public:
     //////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
 
 
-    // The parameter software_type is set up solely for ground station use
-    // and identifies the software type (eg ArduPilotMega versus ArduCopterMega)
-    // GCS will interpret values 0-9 as ArduPilotMega.  Developers may use
-    // values within that range to identify different branches.
-    //
-    static const uint16_t k_software_type = 0;          // 0 for APM trunk
-
     enum {
         // Layout version number, always key zero.
         //
         k_param_format_version = 0,
-        k_param_software_type,
+        k_param_software_type, // unused;
         k_param_num_resets,
         k_param_NavEKF2,
         k_param_g2,
@@ -354,7 +347,6 @@ public:
     };
 
     AP_Int16 format_version;
-    AP_Int8 software_type;
 
     // Telemetry control
     //