Additive manufactured airframe structure having a plurality of additive manufactured airframe segments operable to be linked together in an assembled direction. Each of the plurality of additive manufactured airframe segments are separate from one another in an unassembled configuration. Plurality of reinforcement elements operable to be received in a receiving portion of the plurality of airframe segments and extending through the plurality of airframe segments in a normal direction. Receiving portion is located on the interior of a respective one of the plurality of airframe segments.

A payload elevator system and method are disclosed, configured for providing a plurality of alternative payload elevator configurations, each payload elevator configuration being configured for transporting a payload module. A composite air vehicle configuration is also provided, including a respective payload elevator configuration, the payload elevator configuration being defined by and provided by the payload elevator system, and also including at least one payload module reversibly engaged to the payload elevator configuration via a corresponding engagement and release system.

A modular Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) has first and second flight configurations, and includes an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) parent module and a plurality of UAV child modules. The parent module may have a fuselage, forward and aft wings connected to the fuselage, and a first plurality of flight propulsion devices. The child modules have a corresponding second plurality of flight propulsion devices. Each child module docks wingtip-to-wingtip with the parent module or an adjacent edge of a child module using the docking mechanisms. The child modules undock and separate from the forward wing and each other, and achieve controlled flight independently of the parent module while in the second flight configuration. A method for controlling the modular UAS is also disclosed.

An assembly including a support tower and at least two support systems, each bearing a panel of a section of an aircraft fuselage and including four fixing points. The support tower includes a tower extending along an axis X, a seat on which the tower is mounted and which is rotationally mobile about the axis X, and, for each fixing point, a fixing base mounted on a three-dimensional adjustment system mounted on the tower and motorized to displace the fixing base in two horizontal directions and one vertical direction, where each fixing point and the associated fixing base can be locked with one another to ensure the fixing of one with the other, and that can be unlocked to allow them to be separated. Such an assembly makes it possible to keep the various elements of the section vertical during assembly and allows for a space saving on the ground and a saving on transfer utilities.

A vehicle control system includes at least one control inceptor to provide pilot control of an associated vehicle and a communications interface to process external entity SA data associated with an external entity that is received at a communications system associated with the associated vehicle. An SA video screen displays video data to a pilot of the associated vehicle. The video data includes pilot-perspective visual data corresponding to a real-time dynamic virtual representation of surroundings of the associated vehicle that simulates a real-world visual perspective of the pilot to the surroundings of the associated vehicle and is responsive to the pilot control. A visual indicator of the external entity is superimposed onto the pilot-perspective visual data at an approximate location corresponding to an actual location of the external entity relative to the associated vehicle and beyond a visual range of the pilot based on the external entity SA data.

Systems and methods include UAVs that serve to assist carrier personnel by reducing the physical demands of the transportation and delivery process. A UAV generally includes a UAV chassis including an upper portion, a plurality of propulsion members configured to provide lift to the UAV chassis, and a parcel carrier configured for being selectively coupled to and removed from the UAV chassis. UAV support mechanisms are utilized to load and unload parcel carriers to the UAV chassis, and the UAV lands on and takes off from the UAV support mechanism to deliver parcels to a serviceable point. The UAV includes computing entities that interface with different systems and computing entities to send and receive various types of information.

Disclosed herein is a drone docking station for deposit of items/goods delivered by a drone to a secured receptacle. Items can be delivered to a receptacle at a curb, mailbox, post, porch, mobile units, and window for a multi-parcel receptacle with a set of drawers with hot and cold sections in the station that has a specific residential/commercial address with various optional features. Features include communication systems between the station and drone; security; hot and cold temperature control and preservation of the goods before and after delivery; battery charging and exchange station; a collector to identify explosive materials, anthrax, etc.; ultraviolet system to eradicate disease, virus and harmful materials; an ozone applicator to eradicate disease, virus and harmful materials; weather monitoring; tag and track of vehicles and packages; facial recognition camera and software for pets and humans; and local two-way speakers; LED lights that strobe flash, and a flood light.

A multicopter system according to one aspect of the present invention includes a multicopter configured to fly in a state of holding a package and a mooring device that is installed at a target position of a flight of the multicopter and includes a linear member that extends in a predetermined direction from the target position, the multicopter including a reception portion that has the shape of a recess including an opening open toward one direction and is configured to receive the linear member via the opening.

The universal vehicle system is designed with a lifting body which is composed of a plurality of interconnected modules which are configured to form an aerodynamically viable contour of the lifting body which including a front central module, a rear module, and thrust vectoring modules displaceably connected to the front central module and operatively coupled to respective propulsive mechanisms. The thrust vectoring modules are controlled for dynamical displacement relative to the lifting body (in tilting and/or translating fashion) to direct and actuate the propulsive mechanism(s) as needed for safe and stable operation in various modes of operation and transitioning therebetween in air, water and terrain environments.

A system and method for participating in a multi-USV performance in three-dimensional space. The USV can include: a computer processor; a sensory device configured to detect live sensory information relative to a second USV participating in the performance in proximity to the USV; and a spatial control module executing on the computer processor and configured to enable the computer processor to: (i) receive instructions for performing a pre-determined sequence of spatial maneuvers of the performance; (ii) begin execution of the pre-determined sequence of spatial maneuvers according to the instructions; (iii) identify a modified sequence of spatial maneuvers calculated based on the live sensory information from the sensory device; (iv) halt execution of the pre-determined sequence of spatial maneuvers; and/or (v) execute the modified sequence of spatial maneuvers.