Disclosed are systems and methods for reconnectably coupling an aft vehicle to a forward vehicle in flight. A docking structure is affixed to the forward vehicle. A coupler has a line connection portion, a probe receiver port, and a plurality of aerodynamic controls. The probe receiving port receives and releasably retains a probe portion of the aft vehicle. A tow line has a proximal end, a distal end, and a line extension length. The proximal end may be attached to the tow actuation element. The distal end is connectable to the coupler. The tow actuation element is configured to adjust the line extension length. The aerodynamic control elements are configured to adjust lateral and vertical positioning of the coupler with respect to the probe portion when the system is in flight. Movement of the coupler is restrained with respect to the docking structure when docked thereto.

A launch system and method for orbital or suborbital air-launch of a payload involving releasably coupling a launch vehicle with a towed aircraft via an articulatable carriage to form an air-launch assembly, towing the air-launch assembly via a tow aircraft and interconnected tow cable to a first altitude, releasing the air-launch assembly from tow at or above the first altitude, activating the towed aircraft propulsion system and initiating a pull-up and climb maneuver of the towed aircraft to a second altitude, articulating the articulatable carriage to shift the air-launch assembly from a stowed position to a deployed position with the launch vehicle spaced from the towed aircraft, releasing the launch vehicle from the articulatable carriage and thus from the towed aircraft, and activating the launch vehicle propulsion system for further altitude gain or to meet specific mission requirements.

A launch system and method for orbital or suborbital air-launch of a payload involving releasably coupling a launch vehicle with a towed aircraft via an articulatable carriage to form an air-launch assembly, towing the air-launch assembly via a tow aircraft and interconnected tow cable to a first altitude, releasing the air-launch assembly from tow at or above the first altitude, activating the towed aircraft propulsion system and initiating a pull-up and climb maneuver of the towed aircraft to a second altitude, articulating the articulatable carriage to shift the air-launch assembly from a stowed position to a deployed position with the launch vehicle spaced from the towed aircraft, releasing the launch vehicle from the articulatable carriage and thus from the towed aircraft, and activating the launch vehicle propulsion system for further altitude gain or to meet specific mission requirements.

This disclosure is generally directed to systems and methods for lifting drones to a desired height before launching. In one exemplary embodiment, a drone elevator system includes a looped cable that is engaged to a pair of pulleys. A first pulley of the pair of pulleys is coupled to a lighter-than-air craft and the second pulley is attached to a motor. The lighter-than-air craft moves upwards so as to raise the first pulley skywards and place the looped cable at an angle with respect to the ground. The motor is then operated to rotate the second pulley for moving the looped cable. The cable includes a set of tethers each of which is used to tether a drone. Each tether includes an extension arm that prevents the tethered drone from making contact with the cable when being lifted. Each tethered drone can be launched after being lifted to a desired height.

This disclosure is generally directed to systems and methods for lifting drones to a desired height before launching. In one exemplary embodiment, a drone elevator system includes a looped cable that is engaged to a pair of pulleys. A first pulley of the pair of pulleys is coupled to a lighter-than-air craft and the second pulley is attached to a motor. The lighter-than-air craft moves upwards so as to raise the first pulley skywards and place the looped cable at an angle with respect to the ground. The motor is then operated to rotate the second pulley for moving the looped cable. The cable includes a set of tethers each of which is used to tether a drone. Each tether includes an extension arm that prevents the tethered drone from making contact with the cable when being lifted. Each tethered drone can be launched after being lifted to a desired height.

Towed aerodynamic platforms approach the behavior of flat plate airfoils to achieve high lift-to-drag (L:D) performance when operated at low pitch angles. A lead aircraft may tow multiple platforms to form train units. Low form drag and high L:D enable solar aircraft that are more robust and faster than approaches extending wingspan rather than extending the length of the aerial train. Applications extend beyond solar aircraft and include vehicles towed along an overhead monorail system and aerial drones.

A system for detecting and neutralizing a target aerial vehicle comprises a counter-attack unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) comprising a flight body and a flight control system supported about the flight body operable to facilitate flight of the UAV, and an aerial vehicle countermeasure supported by the flight body. The system can comprise an aerial vehicle detection system comprising at least one detection sensor operable to detect a target aerial vehicle while in-flight, and operable to provide command data to the counter-attack UAV to facilitate interception of the target aerial vehicle by the counter-attack UAV. Upon interception of the target aerial vehicle, the counter-attack UAV is operable to disrupt operation of the detected target aerial vehicle with the aerial vehicle capture countermeasure, thereby neutralizing the target aerial vehicle. The counter-attack UAV and systems may be autonomously operated. Associated systems and methods are provided.

A system for detecting and neutralizing a target aerial vehicle comprises a counter-attack unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) comprising a flight body and a flight control system supported about the flight body operable to facilitate flight of the UAV, and an aerial vehicle countermeasure supported by the flight body. The system can comprise an aerial vehicle detection system comprising at least one detection sensor operable to detect a target aerial vehicle while in-flight, and operable to provide command data to the counter-attack UAV to facilitate interception of the target aerial vehicle by the counter-attack UAV. Upon interception of the target aerial vehicle, the counter-attack UAV is operable to disrupt operation of the detected target aerial vehicle with the aerial vehicle capture countermeasure, thereby neutralizing the target aerial vehicle. The counter-attack UAV and systems may be autonomously operated. Associated systems and methods are provided.

This invention is to provide a method to entirely and effectively shade fixed tracts of land, such as school yard or athletics stadium, etc., with no roof, pole to support roof, or the like. To fix a sheet to multiple flying objects so that such sheet forms a fixed size of surface and make such flying objects fly in accordance with flying positions (including heights) decided based on elements, such as positions of the sun, etc.

A deployable device mountable on a carrier vehicle and configured to collect situation awareness data. The deployable device includes at least one recorder device configured to collect situation awareness data. The deployable device is capable of being ejected from the carrier vehicle and can be configured to operate as a vehicle and/or be towed by the carrier vehicle. The deployable device can continue collection of situation awareness data after being ejected.