A multi-rotor aircraft comprising a controller, an annular airframe, at least two first rotor units and at least two actuation components. Wherein, the annular airframe comprises at least two frames and at least two connecting units, the adjacent frames are movably connected by the connecting unit; the first rotor units are arranged on the annular airframe and are electrically connected with the controller, the first rotor units are used to provide lift for the multi-rotor aircraft to fly; the actuation components are arranged on the annular airframe and are electrically connected with the controller; when the multi-rotor aircraft flies, the actuation components are used for driving the adjacent frames to move away from each other or to move close to each other, so as to enlarge or reduce the enclosed area of the annular airframe respectively.

A multi-rotor aircraft comprising a controller, an annular airframe, at least two first rotor units and at least two actuation components. Wherein, the annular airframe comprises at least two frames and at least two connecting units, the adjacent frames are movably connected by the connecting unit; the first rotor units are arranged on the annular airframe and are electrically connected with the controller, the first rotor units are used to provide lift for the multi-rotor aircraft to fly; the actuation components are arranged on the annular airframe and are electrically connected with the controller; when the multi-rotor aircraft flies, the actuation components are used for driving the adjacent frames to move away from each other or to move close to each other, so as to enlarge or reduce the enclosed area of the annular airframe respectively.

Techniques and systems are provided for the deployment of small Unmanned Aircraft Systems (sUAS) and Loitering Munitions (LM) from an airborne Small Tactical Unmanned Aircraft System (STUAS).

Techniques and systems are provided for the deployment of small Unmanned Aircraft Systems (sUAS) and Loitering Munitions (LM) from an airborne Small Tactical Unmanned Aircraft System (STUAS).

A combined vertical takeoff and landing UAV having a large vertical takeoff and landing UAV, a connecting device, and a small vertical takeoff and landing UAV. The connecting device having a clamping component and an adsorption component. The clamping component includes a clamping part, and a clamping groove is arranged on the clamping part. The clamping component having a snap-fitting part, and a snap-fitting groove is arranged on the snap-fitting part. The clamping groove and the snap-fitting groove are correspondingly set. A first holding space is arranged on the clamping part, and a second holding space is arranged on the snap-fitting part. The adsorption component comprises a first magnetic element located in the first holding space, and the adsorption component also comprises a second magnetic element, which is located in the second holding space.

An aircraft operable to transition between thrust-borne lift in a VTOL orientation and wing-borne lift in a biplane orientation. The aircraft has an airframe including first and second wings with first and second pylons coupled therebetween. A distributed thrust array is coupled to the airframe including a plurality of propulsion assemblies coupled to the first wing and a plurality of propulsion assemblies coupled to the second wing. A UAV carrier assembly is coupled between the first and second pylons. The UAV carrier assembly has a plurality of UAV stations each configured to selectively transport and release a UAV. A flight control system is configured to control each of the propulsion assemblies and launch each of the UAVs during flight.

An aircraft operable to transition between thrust-borne lift in a VTOL orientation and wing-borne lift in a biplane orientation. The aircraft has an airframe including first and second wings with first and second pylons coupled therebetween. A distributed thrust array is coupled to the airframe including a plurality of propulsion assemblies coupled to the first wing and a plurality of propulsion assemblies coupled to the second wing. A UAV carrier assembly is coupled between the first and second pylons. The UAV carrier assembly has a plurality of UAV stations each configured to selectively transport and release a UAV. A flight control system is configured to control each of the propulsion assemblies and launch each of the UAVs during flight.

Features for in-flight recovery of an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). A towline may be deployed by a host aircraft in-flight to recover an in-flight target UAV. The towline or portion thereof may be oriented nearly vertical. The towline may have a fitting thereon. A capture mechanism on the target UAV may have one or more deployable flaps that engage with the near vertical towline and fitting. The flaps may stow to secure the target aircraft to the towline and fitting. The host aircraft may then retract the towline to pull in the target UAV to the host aircraft using a hoist system having a winch. A latching system located in a pylon of the host aircraft, which may be under a wing, may have a towline connector that engages with and secures the target UAV. The host aircraft may have multiple hoist systems for deployment and/or recovery of multiple target UAV's.

The present invention relates to an unmanned aerial vehicle system having a multi-rotor type rotary wing. The unmanned aerial vehicle system having a multi-rotor type rotary wing includes a first unmanned aerial vehicle, at least one second unmanned aerial vehicle, and a bridge that connects the first unmanned aerial vehicle and the at least one second unmanned aerial vehicle to be separable from each other, wherein the at least one second unmanned aerial vehicle is moveable by the first unmanned aerial vehicle in a state where the at least one second unmanned aerial vehicle is coupled to the first unmanned aerial vehicle by the bridge without being driven, and the at least one second unmanned aerial vehicle is separable from the first unmanned aerial vehicle which is in flight.

The present invention relates to an unmanned aerial vehicle system having a multi-rotor type rotary wing. The unmanned aerial vehicle system having a multi-rotor type rotary wing includes a first unmanned aerial vehicle, at least one second unmanned aerial vehicle, and a bridge that connects the first unmanned aerial vehicle and the at least one second unmanned aerial vehicle to be separable from each other, wherein the at least one second unmanned aerial vehicle is moveable by the first unmanned aerial vehicle in a state where the at least one second unmanned aerial vehicle is coupled to the first unmanned aerial vehicle by the bridge without being driven, and the at least one second unmanned aerial vehicle is separable from the first unmanned aerial vehicle which is in flight.