Abstract:
Methods and apparatuses for capturing and recovering unmanned aircraft and other flight devices or projectiles are described. In one embodiment, the aircraft can be captured at an extendable boom. The boom can be extended to deploy a recovery line to retrieve the aircraft in flight. The boom can be retracted when not in use to reduce the volume it occupies. A tension device coupled to the recovery line can absorb forces associated with the impact of the aircraft and the recovery line.
Abstract:
Methods and apparatuses for launching and capturing unmanned aircraft and other flight devices or projectiles are described. In one embodiment, the aircraft can be launched from an apparatus that includes an extendable boom. The boom can be extended to deploy a recovery line to retrieve the aircraft in flight. The aircraft can then be retrieved from the recovery line. The boom can be retracted when not in use to reduce the volume it occupies.
Abstract:
A powered remotely piloted vehicle which is not controllable at the low landing speeds necessary for landing on a platform of small area is provided with a para-foil type wing deployable at the beginning of a recovery sequence, and is further provided with a rocket ejectable line which is passed to the landing platform and winched in so that the composite flight vehicle and deployed para-foil wing is drawn towards the platform after the manner of a kite.
Abstract:
Die Erfindung betrifft ein System zur Einholung eines unbemannten Luftfahrzeugs (10), wobei das System eine Landeplattform und ein unbemanntes Luftfahrzeug (10) umfasst, wobei es sich bei dem unbemannten Luftfahrzeug (10) um ein senkrecht landendes unbemanntes Luftfahrzeug (10) handelt, wobei die Landeplattform ein Gitter (20) aufweist. Ferner betrifft die Erfindung ein Verfahren zur Einholung eines unbemannten Luftfahrzeugs (10) auf einer Landeplattform unter Verwendung eines erfindungsgemäßen Systems zur Einholung eines unbemannten Luftfahrzeugs (10).
Abstract:
A rotary wing vehicle includes a body structure having an elongated tubular backbone or core, and a counter-rotating coaxial rotor system having rotors with each rotor having a separate motor to drive the rotors about a common rotor axis of rotation. The rotor system is used to move the rotary wing vehicle in directional flight.
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.
Abstract:
An apparatus for launching a remotely piloted aircraft (50) from a submarine (100) comprises a tubular body (2) insertable into a mast (103) of the submarine (100), extending along a respective principal direction (C) and defining an ejector mouth (3) for the remotely piloted aircraft (50), a projectile (10) housed in the tubular body (2) and comprising the remotely piloted aircraft (50) and launching means (4) by which the projectile (10) is propelled into the air from the mast (103) of the submarine (100). The launching means (4) comprise a pneumatic ejection device (5) connected to the tubular body (2) and configured to push the projectile (10) out of the ejector mouth (3) until reaching a first height (Ql) and a fuel-driven propulsion unit (11) connected to the projectile (10), during launching, and designed to be activated when the projectile (10) is outside the tubular body (2) to propel it to a second height (Q2) greater than the first height (Ql).
Abstract:
A sonar buoy includes a fuselage having a tube-like shape, one or more wings coupled to the fuselage, an engine coupled to the fuselage and operable to propel the sonar buoy through flight, and a guidance computer operable to direct the sonar buoy to a predetermined location. The sonar buoy further includes a sonar detachably coupled to the fuselage and forming at least a part of the fuselage, and a rocket motor detachably coupled to the fuselage. The one or more wings are operable to be folded into a position to allow the sonar buoy to be disposed within a launch tube coupled to a vehicle and to automatically deploy to an appropriate position for flight after the sonar buoy is launched from the launch tube. The rocket motor propels the sonar buoy from the launch tube and detaches from the fuselage after launch.
Abstract:
The invention provides a system, method and landing device for landing an aircraft (50) with respect to a predetermined landing location (P). The aircraft is configured for powered flight at least when the parafoil (60) is deployed, and includes an automatic landing system for controllably executing a landing approach maneuver for the aircraft while in free powered flight with the parafoil deployed to enable the aircraft to be brought into overlying proximity with the landing location. A landing device in the form of an energy absorbing landing net arrangement (20) is provided at the landing location for enabling the aircraft to be landed thereon at least partially vertically when in overlying proximity, and for dampening the landing impact of the aircraft.
Abstract:
Methods and apparatuses provide surveillance of a convoy (12). At least one unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) (10) obtains images around the convoy's position to provide information about potential hostile activity while th UAV follows a generally curvilinear path around the convoy as instructed by one of the convoy vehicles. Path planner algorithm software is executed by the controlling convoy vehicle in which position and velocity information regarding the unmanned aerial vehicle and the convoy are processed to determine values of control variables. The determined values are sent to the unmanned aerial vehicle over a wireless communications channel. The path of the surveillance vehicle may be changed in order to provide evasive measures to avoid an attack on the surveillance vehicle by an adversary.