According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a reconnaissance and communication assembly, adapted to be launched from a gun barrel into the air. The assembly comprises a carrier (with a cavity) and a payload (within the cavity). The payload is arranged to be controllably expelled from the carrier and once expelled from the carrier, the payload transmits a signal.

A payload loading system is disclosed. The payload loading system includes a UAV and a loading structure. A retractable tether is coupled to a payload coupling apparatus at a distal end and the UAV at a proximate end. A payload is loaded to the UAV by coupling the payload to the payload coupling apparatus. The loading structure of the payload loading system includes a landing platform and a tether guide. The tether guide is coupled to the landing platform and directs the tether as the UAV approaches and travels across at least a portion of the landing platform such that the payload coupling apparatus arrives at a target location. The payload is loaded to the payload coupling apparatus while the payload coupling apparatus is within the target location.

A method for automated assignment of a staging pad to an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) includes: launching the UAV from a launch location; tracking a drift of the UAV from the launch location; determining a subsequent position of the UAV after the launching based upon geofiducial navigation; calculating an estimated position of the launch location by offsetting the subsequent position by the drift; attempting to match the estimated position to an available staging pad of a plurality of staging pads; and assigning the UAV to the available staging pad when the estimated position successfully matches to the available staging pad.

A flying machine storage container is provided that comprises multiple charging stations and a clamping mechanism. The clamping mechanism is configured to secure flying machines in the charging stations and securely close charging circuits between the storage container and the flying machines. A system for launching flying machines is also provided. The system comprises two regions and a transition region between the two regions. The two regions each constrain the positioning of a flying machine and the transition region enables a flying machine to move from the first region to the second region to reach an exit. A flying machine having sufficient performance capabilities will be able to successfully launch. Centralized and decentralized communication architectures are also provided for communicating data between a central control system, multiple storage containers, and multiple stored flying machines stored at each of the storage containers.

Various embodiments of the present disclosure provide a parasail-assisted system for launching a fixed-wing aircraft into free flight and for retrieving a fixed-wing aircraft from free flight.

An active shooter response system is disclosed. The system utilizes a system of sensors and drones which may receive data at a base station. The base station may centrally process the data from the drones and the sensors so that a coordinated attack on the active shooter can be formulated either automatically without human intervention or manually at the base station by an operator of the system.

Locking line capture devices for unmanned aircraft, and associated systems and methods are disclosed herein. A representative system includes a line capture body having a line slot with an open end and closed end, and a retainer positioned proximate the line slot and movable between first position in which the retainer blocks access to the line slot and a second position in which the retainer allows access to the line slot. A locking device is operably coupled between the capture body and the retainer and is movable between an unlocked position to allow movement of the retainer between the first and second positions, and a locked position to block such movement. A release device is operably coupled to the locking device and movable between a secured position with the locking device secured in the locked position, and a released position with the locking device movable between the locked and unlocked positions.

An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) system, location and method, for operation with a flight management system, has a controlled access UAV zone for at least one of: UAV landing, UAV loading, and UAV take-off. A sensor can be in communication with a control panel and/or a lock to govern access to the UAV zone. The zone can have a barrier with closure secured by the lock, and controlled by a flight management system. Separate access codes can be provided for departure and destination locations, to enable personnel associated with a delivery request to access those locations, to effect delivery of an article. The codes can be generated and supplied when the flight management system receives a valid delivery request.

In one embodiment, a wing for an unmanned aerial vehicle is described. The unmanned aerial vehicle includes a first body of the wing with a first end proximate a body of the vehicle. A second end is opposite the first end. A first joint is on the first end of the first main body of the wing. The joint rotatably couples the wing to the vehicle. A second joint is on the second end of the vehicle. A second body of the wing is rotatably coupled to the first body via the second joint.

The article transportation system S acquires first sensing information obtained by sensing a peripheral area around a user including a release candidate place with an optical sensor 23 of a user terminal 2 and the position information of the user terminal 2. Then, the article transportation system S determines whether the release candidate place satisfies one or more application conditions on the basis of the first sensing information, and in a case where it is determined that the release candidate place satisfies the one or more application conditions, sets a release place suitable for releasing an article from an UAV 1 on the basis of the release candidate place and the position information of the user terminal 2.