Abstract:
The present invention relates to a device (10) for representing hits by shots and/or rockets, a corresponding system for same and an associated method. Disclosed is a device (10) which is capable of flight and provides means (12) for optical and/or acoustic representation of hits. The device (10) and the means (12) can be remotely controlled and can be controlled from a control centre (30). For the purpose of control, the control centre (30) can locate objects capable of being located via positioning satellites (50) and control the device (10) according to the location.
Abstract:
System and methodsfor surveying areas using a radar system and an unmanned aerial vehicle(UAV) are described herein. For example, one or more embodiments include detecting an event in the area using movement measurements from a radar system, wherein the radar system transmits electromagnetic radiation waves to capture the movement measurements in the area, and determining geographic information system (GIS) coordinates of a location of the event. Further, one or more embodiments can include navigating an UAV to the locationsubstantially autonomously using the GIS coordinates of the location of the event and capturing a second number of images of the location using the UAV.
Abstract:
Disclosed is a method for delivering a load (19) onboard an aircraft (2) to a target. The method comprises: acquiring a position of the target; acquiring parameter values relating to aircraft manoeuvrability; acquiring load properties; acquiring parameter values relating to environmental conditions; using the acquired information, determining a position and a velocity value; performing, by the aircraft (2), the procedure; and, at a point in the procedure that the aircraft (2) has the determined position and its travelling at a velocity equal to the determined velocity value, releasing the load (19). The determined position and velocity value are such that, were the aircraft (2) to release the load (19) whilst having the determined position and velocity, the load (19) would travel to be within a predetermined distance of the target. The procedure is such that the aircraft (2) would have the determined position and velocity at some time-step.
Abstract:
Methods and apparatus to cooperatively lift a payload (110) are disclosed. An example method to control a lift vehicle (102) includes determining (704) a first positional state of the lift vehicle (102) with respect to a payload (110) controlled by a plurality of lift vehicles (102, 104, ...) including the lift vehicle (102), determining (706) a second positional state of the lift vehicle (102) with respect to a goal location, detecting distances (708) to the other ones of the plurality of lift vehicles (102, 104, ...), determining (710) a third positional state of the lift vehicle (102) based on the distances to the other ones of the plurality of lift vehicles (102, 104, ...), and calculating (712-720) a control command to control the lift vehicle (102) based on the first positional state, the second positional state, and the third positional state.
Abstract:
An actual position of a load tethered with a tether to a vehicle is determined using a plurality of sensors disposed on the vehicle. A required tether tension and required tether angle of the tether is determined to move the load from the actual position to a commanded position. An actual tether tension and actual tether angle of the tether is determined using the plurality of sensors. A determination is made as to a thrust vector to be applied by the vehicle to change the actual tether tension and the actual tether angle of the tether to the required tether tension and the required tether angle. The thrust vector is applied with the vehicle to reposition the vehicle to achieve the required tether angle and to create the required tether tension of the tether to move the load to the commanded position.
Abstract:
A modular vehicle management system is described, comprising a controller module configured to control different types of carrier modules. The controller module includes a computer system and optionally one or more sensors. The computer system is configured to perform operations comprising detecting whether a carrier module is connected to the controller module. If the carrier module is connected to the controller module, the carrier module is authenticated. If the authentication fails, operation of the vehicle is inhibited. The control module is configured to determine carrier module capabilities including information regarding a navigation processing device, and/or a radio modem. The controller adapts to the capabilities of the controller module. Using information from the sensors and the navigation processing device, the vehicle management system navigates the vehicle.
Abstract:
An unmanned vehicle is provided. The unmanned vehicle includes a navigation system configured to navigate the unmanned vehicle relative to a beam of energy emitted from a beam source, a power receiver configured to receive energy from the beam, and an energy storage system configured to store received energy for use in selectively powering the unmanned vehicle.
Abstract:
Embodiments include one or more high altitude, long endurance (HALE) unmanned aircraft (110) capable of persistent station-keeping having one or more electromagnetic (IR/Visual/RF) sensor elements or suites (112, 337) for purposes of survey and/or signal gathering. Embodiments include one or more high altitude, long endurance (HALE) unmanned aircraft (110) capable of persistent station-keeping having a directable laser (331). Embodiments include a group of four or more high altitude, long endurance (HALE) unmanned aircraft (611-614) configured as GPS repeaters.