Various embodiments include methods of navigating a drone that may include determining whether a radio link quality trigger event associated with communications with the drone has occurred while the drone travels along a set route to a destination. The radio link quality trigger event may correspond to predetermined characteristics of radio link quality. The drone may be steered to follow a search maneuver for improving radio link quality in response to determining the radio link quality trigger event has occurred. The search maneuver may follow a preconfigured deviation pattern that is configured before determining whether the radio link quality trigger event has occurred and departs from the set route.

Landing pads for a drone. One of the landing pads can include a landing area with a first surface configured to receive a second surface of a landing gear of a drone; a docking area i) with a first end adjacent to the landing area and a second opposite end and ii) a docking surface configured to contact the second surface of the landing gear of the drone; a fixed member i) with a third surface adjacent to the second end of the docking area and ii) configured to contact an end of the landing gear of the drone; a moveable member configured to i) move the landing gear across the first surface of the landing area onto the docking surface and ii) secure the landing gear of the drone in place between the docking surface of the docking area and the third surface of the fixed member.

Systems and methods for drone air traffic control method include, in an air traffic control system configured to manage Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) flight in a geographic region, communicating to one or more UAVs via one or more wireless networks, wherein the one or more UAVs are configured to maintain their flight in the geographic region based on coverage of or connectivity to the one or more wireless networks; obtaining input related to a plurality of flying lanes in the geographic region and weather conditions in the geographic region; determining the plurality of flying lanes based on the input and weather conditions; and routing the one or more UAVs in the determined plurality of flying lanes considering air traffic, congestion, and obstructions.

Systems, devices, and methods for a ground support system for an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) including: at least one handling fixture, where each handling fixture is configured to support at least one wing panel of the UAV; and at least one dolly, where each dolly is configured to receive at least one landing pod of the UAV, and where each landing pod supports at least one wing panel of the UAV; where the at least one handling fixture and the at least one dolly are configured to move and rotate two or more wing panels to align the two or more wing panels with each other for assembly of the UAV; and where the at least one dolly further allows for transportation of the UAV over uneven terrain.

An integrated transportation system with vertical take-off and landing capabilities utilizes multiple common ground, pod, and flight components to facilitate efficient vertiport operations. Automated system operations, enable individuals and cargo routing between destinations in congested urban environments, as well as in remote locations selectively using the integrated ground vehicles and flight vehicles to deliver the payload pod to the destination.

Systems and methods for drone air traffic control method include, in an air traffic control system configured to manage Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) flight in a geographic region, communicating to one or more UAVs via one or more wireless networks, wherein the one or more UAVs are configured to maintain their flight in the geographic region based on coverage of or connectivity to the one or more wireless networks; obtaining input related to a plurality of flying lanes in the geographic region and weather conditions in the geographic region; determining the plurality of flying lanes based on the input and weather conditions; and routing the one or more UAVs in the determined plurality of flying lanes considering air traffic, congestion, and obstructions.

A drone system and method for deploying and autonomously refuelling. The drone system includes a base station and a drone. The base station and drone are configured for autonomous refuelling when the drone has landed in the base station. The base station also provides portability and security of the drone.

An unmanned disposable air vehicle (1) comprising a structural part (3) that has an outer structure (17) and an inner structure (15) located inside the outer structure (17), the inner structure (15) being arranged to support the outer structure (17), wherein at least one of the inner structure (15) and outer structure (17) comprises an article of aid (19) such that the air vehicle (1) may be flown to a relief zone and the structural part (3) dismantled from the air vehicle (1) to allow the article of aid (19) to be used.

A pneumatic delivery system is used to facilitate delivery of canisters comprising delivery payloads by unmanned systems, such as unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). The pneumatic delivery system comprises a tube having a channel within a tube wall, where a canister is configured to move through the tube. The tube comprises a tube opening and a transfer mechanism proximate the tube opening. The transfer mechanism engages a canister having a payload that is moved within the tube. The transfer mechanism moves the canister through the tube opening by extending from a first transfer position to a second transfer position. At the second transfer position, the transfer mechanism orients the tube and releases it to a UAV for delivery.

A transport system using an unmanned aerial vehicle that overcomes restrictions on distance, time, and the like, thereby expanding a deliverable range for improved convenience. A transport system using an unmanned aerial vehicle that is capable of performing three-dimensional movement using electric power supplied thereto. The unmanned aerial vehicle is mounted with a container for storing a cargo to be transported and is flown by means of relay stations that cover the shipment source with the shipment destination of the cargo. The container is provided with a power storage unit for storing electric power to be supplied to the unmanned aerial vehicle, and the power storage unit of the container is charged at the relay station when the container is not being moved.