Abstract:
A flyer assembly is adapted for launching with, transit in, and deployment from an artillery shell having a central void region extending along a ballistic shell axis. The flyer assembly includes a jettisonable shroud and a flyer. The shroud extends along a shroud axis, and is positionable within the central void region with the shroud axis substantially parallel to the shell axis. The flyer is adapted to withstand a launch acceleration force along a flyer axis when in a first state, and to effect aerodynamic flight when in a second state. When in the first state, the flyer is positionable within the shroud with the flyer axis parallel to the shroud axis and the shell axis. The flyer includes a body member disposed about the flyer axis, and a foldable wing assembly mounted to the body member. The wing assembly is configurable in a folded state characterized by a plurality of nested wing segments when the flyer is in the first state. The wing assembly is configurable in an unfolded state characterized by a substantially uninterrupted aerodynamic surface when the flyer is in the second state. The flyer assembly is adapted to be launched from a ballistic delivery system such as an artillery cannon, and can thus reach a target quickly, without expending system energy stored within the flyer. During launch, the flyer is coupled to the shroud so as to maintain a portion of the flyer in tension during an acceleration of the flyer along the flyer axis resulting from the launch. The flyer assembly is adapted to withstand the high g-load and high temperature environments of a cannon launch, and can tolerate a set-back g load of about 16,000 g.
Abstract:
A VTOL/STOL free wing aircraft includes a free wing having wings on opposite sides of a fuselage connected to one another respectively adjacent fixed wing inboard or center root sections fixedly attached to the fuselage for free rotation about a spanwise access. Horizontal and vertical tail surfaces are located at the rear end of a boom assembly rotatably connected to the fuselage. A gearing or screw rod arrangement controlled by the pilot or remote control operator selectively relatively pivots the fuselage in relation to the tail boom assembly to enable the fuselage to assume a tilted or nose up configuration to enable VTOL/STOL flight.
Abstract:
An assembly comprising a drone (1) and at least one releasable load (37) mounted on the drone, the drone comprising an on-board data processing system, the releasable load (37) comprising at least one sensor delivering a piece of information that can be used to ascertain the path of same and actuators for controlling flight control surfaces allowing it to be oriented as it falls, being linked to the drone (1) by an optical fibre (70), the load and the drone being arranged to exchange information via the optical fibre while the load is falling, the load transmitting data originating from said at least one sensor and the drone transmitting data for controlling the actuators, established taking into account that received from the load, in order to guide the load towards a predefined target.
Abstract:
A collapsible, rapidly-deployable unmanned aerial vehicle includes a cylindrical structural body, a plurality of deployable mechanisms, a control unit, and a portable power source. The cylindrical structural body is dimensioned to be stored in a small space and deployed rapidly. The plurality of deployable mechanisms includes a lift-generating device for generating an upward thrust that allows the unmanned aerial vehicle to fly. Further, the plurality of deployable mechanisms can collapse to reduce the overall footprint of the cylindrical structural body, thereby allowing the unmanned aerial vehicle to be stored in a confined area. The control unit is integrated into the cylindrical structural body, whereby the control unit controls the flight of the present invention. The portable power source provides electrical energy to the electrically operated components of the unmanned aerial vehicle such as the plurality of deployable mechanisms and the control unit.
Abstract:
An unmanned aerial launch vehicle (UAV) launch apparatus is disclosed that includes a UAV (400) having an exterior surface, an aerial vehicle (AV) tab (510) extending from the exterior surface, a tube (440) containing the UAV (400), the tube (440) including a tab stop (515) configured to controllably hinder travel of the AV tab (510) past the tab stop (515), and a pair of opposing tab guides (700, 705) configured to position the AV tab (510) for travel over the tab stop (515).
Abstract:
The invention relates to a ramp of a catapult and to a catapult. The catapult comprises a carriage (4) for fastening an aircraft (5). The carriage (4) is supported on a ramp (1). The ramp is formed of one or more ramp elements (1a-1m). The ramp element comprises four frame plates, namely two parallel side plates (20a, 20b), a top plate (21) and a bottom plate (22). The frame plates are separate pieces which are connected at fastening points (25) to each other by means of mechanical fastening elements (26).
Abstract:
Embodiments of the present invention provide improvements to UAV launching systems. The disclosed launching system eliminates the use of hydraulic fluid and compressed nitrogen or air by providing an electric motor-driven tape that causes movement of a shuttle along a launcher rail.
Abstract:
A method of launching and retrieving a UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle) (10). The preferred method of launch involves carrying the UAV (10) up to altitude using a parasail (8) similar to that used to carry tourists aloft. The UAV is dropped and picks up enough airspeed in the dive to perform a pull-up into level controlled flight. The preferred method of recovery is for the UAV to fly into and latch onto the parasail tow line (4) or cables hanging off the tow line and then be winched back down to the boat (2).
Abstract:
An unmanned aerial launch vehicle (UAV) launch apparatus is disclosed that includes a UAV (400) having an exterior surface, an aerial vehicle (AV) tab (510) extending from the exterior surface, a tube (440) containing the UAV (400), the tube (440) including a tab stop (515) configured to controllably hinder travel of the AV tab (510) past the tab stop (515), and a pair of opposing tab guides (700, 705) configured to position the AV tab (510) for travel over the tab stop (515).
Abstract:
Equipment and methods that combine the use of wave powered vehicles and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs or drones). A UAV can be launched from a wave-powered vehicle, observe another vessel, and report the results of its observation to the wave-powered vehicle, and the wave-powered vehicle can report the results of the observation to a remote location. The UAV can land on water and can then be recovered by the wave-powered vehicle.