A tow cable system and method of use wherein, in the context of towed flight of a glider behind an aircraft, positive load or tension of the cable therebetween is achieved through one or more of cable design and material selection, cable pre-tensioning, in-flight cable tensioning, and/or load dampening device(s), and the related interplay of such various components or sub-systems of the overall tow cable system.

A tow cable system and method of use wherein, in the context of towed flight of a glider behind an aircraft, positive load or tension of the cable therebetween is achieved through one or more of cable design and material selection, cable pre-tensioning, in-flight cable tensioning, and/or load dampening device(s), and the related interplay of such various components or sub-systems of the overall tow cable system.

Unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) capture devices and methods of operation are disclosed. A UAV capture device may include a netting system including a net launch device and a net, a propulsion system including a plurality of propellers coupled to one or more motors, a positioning system, a camera system, and a processing system coupled to the netting system, the propulsion system, the positioning system, and the camera system. The processing system may include logic to operate the propulsion system to autonomously navigate to a general location of a target UAV, to operate the propulsion system to pursue the target UAV, to deploy the netting system to propel the net at the target UAV, and to confirm if the target UAV is captured in the net. Other aspects, embodiments, and features are also included.

A variety of refueling devices, systems and methods are disclosed for use in in-flight refueling. In one example one such device is towed by a tanker aircraft via a fuel hose at least during in-flight refueling, and has a boom member with a boom axis. The boom member enables fuel to be transferred from the fuel hose to a receiver aircraft along the boom axis during in-flight refueling. The device maintains a desired non-zero angular disposition between the boom axis and a forward direction at least when the refueling device is towed by the tanker aircraft in the forward direction via the fuel hose.

A variety of refueling devices, systems and methods are disclosed for use in in-flight refueling. In one example one such device is towed by a tanker aircraft via a fuel hose at least during in-flight refueling, and has a boom member with a boom axis. The boom member enables fuel to be transferred from the fuel hose to a receiver aircraft along the boom axis during in-flight refueling. The device maintains a desired non-zero angular disposition between the boom axis and a forward direction at least when the refueling device is towed by the tanker aircraft in the forward direction via the fuel hose.

A system for lifting and transporting an aircraft comprising a movable platform, a lower lift system, and a first pair of wheels. The platform comprises a frame having an upper and a lower surface and a plurality of hook ups. The lower lift system is configured to raise the platform and an aircraft supported by the frame. The lower lift system comprises a lifter selected from the group consisting of: at least one hydraulic jack, at least one pneumatic jack, slots for forklift arms, at least one inflatable airbag, and combinations of any or all of the foregoing. The first pair of wheels are coupled to or configured for coupling to the frame so that the raised platform with an aircraft supported by the platform can be transported. A method of using the system comprises positioning the system beneath an aircraft and lifting the platform and the aircraft.

A system for lifting and transporting an aircraft comprising a movable platform, a lower lift system, and a first pair of wheels. The platform comprises a frame having an upper and a lower surface and a plurality of hook ups. The lower lift system is configured to raise the platform and an aircraft supported by the frame. The lower lift system comprises a lifter selected from the group consisting of: at least one hydraulic jack, at least one pneumatic jack, slots for forklift arms, at least one inflatable airbag, and combinations of any or all of the foregoing. The first pair of wheels are coupled to or configured for coupling to the frame so that the raised platform with an aircraft supported by the platform can be transported. A method of using the system comprises positioning the system beneath an aircraft and lifting the platform and the aircraft.

A personnel rescue system has a winch subsystem comprising a first tether deployable and retrievable with a powered winch, a powered and controllable end effector attached at a deployable end of the first tether, a second tether attached by a first end to the end effector, a personnel harness attached at a second end of the second tether; and control apparatus in communication with the end effector, the control apparatus operable to maneuver the end effector vertically and laterally, carrying the personnel harness to a subject to be rescued.

A satellite refueling system has a refueling satellite carrying fuel, a fuel hose connected to the fuel carried by the refueling satellite, with a maneuverable end effector at a deployed end of the fuel hose, the end effector comprising a fuel supply nozzle connected to the fuel hose, a plurality of thrusters on the end effector providing thrust in a plurality of directions, an imaging device on the end effector capturing images in an immediate environment of the end effector, and computerized circuitry operating individual ones of the plurality of thrusters in response to the images captured by the imaging device. The refueling satellite deploys the fuel hose, and the computerized circuitry operates the thrusters to maneuver the end effector, bringing the fuel supply nozzle to a location to deliver fuel.

A stabilizing system for a winch cable has a winch cable deployed and suspended from a helicopter, a cargo support attached at a deployed end of the winch cable, an end effector attached to the winch cable, the end effector comprising thrusters directed in a plurality of directions orthogonal to a vertical axis of the winch cable, first control circuitry in the helicopter, and second control circuitry in the end effector. Thrust of individual thrusters is controlled through the first and second control circuitry maintaining the axis of the winch cable vertical, damping swinging of the cable.