A dual mode turbofan engine includes a jet engine portion having a compressor, a turbine disposed aft of the compressor, and a shaft coupled to the compressor and the turbine. The jet engine portion is configured to produce an exhaust. The system further includes an auxiliary turbine having a plurality of auxiliary turbine blades. The auxiliary turbine is disposed aft of the turbine and decoupled from the shaft. The system also includes a diverter disposed between the turbine and the auxiliary turbine. The diverter is configured to selectively direct the exhaust to an inner flow path bypassing the plurality of auxiliary turbine blades or to an outer flow path engaging the plurality of turbine blades. A plurality of propeller blades is hingedly connected to the auxiliary turbine.

The present disclosure provides various embodiments of a multicopter-assisted launch and retrieval system generally including: (1) a multi-rotor modular multicopter attachable to (and detachable from) a fixed-wing aircraft to facilitate launch of the fixed-wing aircraft into wing-borne flight; (2) a storage and launch system usable to store the modular multicopter and to facilitate launch of the fixed-wing aircraft into wing-borne flight; and (3) an anchor system usable (along with the multicopter and a flexible capture member) to retrieve the fixed-wing aircraft from wing-borne flight.

The present disclosure provides various embodiments of a multicopter-assisted launch and retrieval system generally including: (1) a multi-rotor modular multicopter attachable to (and detachable from) a fixed-wing aircraft to facilitate launch of the fixed-wing aircraft into wing-borne flight; (2) a storage and launch system usable to store the modular multicopter and to facilitate launch of the fixed-wing aircraft into wing-borne flight; and (3) an anchor system usable (along with the multicopter and a flexible capture member) to retrieve the fixed-wing aircraft from wing-borne flight.

The invention is a system and method of use for the aircraft-based generation of usable water from atmospheric water vapor for storage and use within the aircraft.

The invention is a system and method of use for the aircraft-based generation of usable water from atmospheric water vapor for storage and use within the aircraft.

Systems and methods are disclosed for item delivery using unmanned aerial vehicles. Example methods may include receiving, by a management component communicatively coupled to at least one processor via a transceiver, instructions for a UAV, wherein the instructions include a delivery request for one or more items; determining, via a routing component, a predetermined route based on the delivery request, wherein the predetermined route maximizing a visibility of the UAV by one or more users; and accepting, by a payment component communicatively coupled to the at least one processor and at least one memory, payment for the one or more items from one or more users.

The present invention discloses a drone or unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) mounted on a law enforcement vehicle for the purposes of interfacing with occupants of a stopped vehicle after being pulled over for a traffic violation or routine stop. The drone is equipped with a navigation system, obstacle-avoidance sensors, a telepresence system (a camera, microphone, speaker and screen), and a robotic arm with a secure box and a device for estimating blood alcohol content. Once a suspect vehicle has been pulled over by a law enforcement officer, without leaving the safety of a law enforcement vehicle, the officer deploys the drone to perform a visual check of the interior of the suspect vehicle for dangerous items, ascertain if an occupant's face triggers any flags on a central database, administer a sobriety test, collect the necessary documents and deliver a citation to the driver via the secure box.

The present invention discloses a drone or unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) mounted on a law enforcement vehicle for the purposes of interfacing with occupants of a stopped vehicle after being pulled over for a traffic violation or routine stop. The drone is equipped with a navigation system, obstacle-avoidance sensors, a telepresence system (a camera, microphone, speaker and screen), and a robotic arm with a secure box and a device for estimating blood alcohol content. Once a suspect vehicle has been pulled over by a law enforcement officer, without leaving the safety of a law enforcement vehicle, the officer deploys the drone to perform a visual check of the interior of the suspect vehicle for dangerous items, ascertain if an occupant's face triggers any flags on a central database, administer a sobriety test, collect the necessary documents and deliver a citation to the driver via the secure box.

Aspects include a system for transferring a payload between drones. The system includes a first aerial drone having a first transfer member and a first controller. The first controller including a processor configured to change a first altitude and first orientation of the first aerial drone. A second aerial drone is provided having a second transfer member and a second controller, the second transfer member having a cone member on one end, the second transfer member being configured to receive the payload. The second controller including a processor configured to change a second altitude and a second orientation of the second aerial drone. The controllers cooperate to dispose the first transfer member within the cone member and transfer the payload from the first aerial drone to the second aerial drone.

Aspects include a system for transferring a payload between drones. The system includes a first aerial drone having a first transfer member and a first controller. The first controller including a processor configured to change a first altitude and first orientation of the first aerial drone. A second aerial drone is provided having a second transfer member and a second controller, the second transfer member having a cone member on one end, the second transfer member being configured to receive the payload. The second controller including a processor configured to change a second altitude and a second orientation of the second aerial drone. The controllers cooperate to dispose the first transfer member within the cone member and transfer the payload from the first aerial drone to the second aerial drone.