A hybrid aircraft system uses a combination of direct propeller driven gas engine and electric motor power to provide vertical thrust and control for hover of the aircraft. Furthermore, a portable launch/recovery system is configured for use with an aircraft such as a Vertical Takeoff and Landing (VTOL) Unmanned Air Vehicle (UAV). The system is configured to enable ships with limited available deck space to become UAV-compatible.

A hybrid aircraft system uses a combination of direct propeller driven gas engine and electric motor power to provide vertical thrust and control for hover of the aircraft. Furthermore, a portable launch/recovery system is configured for use with an aircraft such as a Vertical Takeoff and Landing (VTOL) Unmanned Air Vehicle (UAV). The system is configured to enable ships with limited available deck space to become UAV-compatible.

Methods and apparatus to deploy unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) by kites are disclosed. An example apparatus to deploy a UAV includes a tether line to support the UAV, a tensioner operatively coupled to the tether line, and a kite operatively coupled to the tether line to support the tether line for deployment of the UAV.

Methods and apparatus to deploy unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) by kites are disclosed. An example apparatus to deploy a UAV includes a tether line to support the UAV, a tensioner operatively coupled to the tether line, and a kite operatively coupled to the tether line to support the tether line for deployment of the UAV.

A trolley for a lift assembly is disclosed. The trolley includes a drive portion and a lift portion separable from the drive portion. The lift portion includes one or more fittings configured to hold one or more wire ropes for raising and lower a platform hitched to the wire ropes. The drive portion is connectable to a drive assembly to move the drive portion and lift portion along a lift stroke. Pairs of trolleys are interconnected via tension lines or wires connected to the lift portions of the trolleys. The lift portions are configured to move independent of the drive portions through lift provided via the interconnection of the lift portions through the tension lines or wires.

A trolley for a lift assembly is disclosed. The trolley includes a drive portion and a lift portion separable from the drive portion. The lift portion includes one or more fittings configured to hold one or more wire ropes for raising and lower a platform hitched to the wire ropes. The drive portion is connectable to a drive assembly to move the drive portion and lift portion along a lift stroke. Pairs of trolleys are interconnected via tension lines or wires connected to the lift portions of the trolleys. The lift portions are configured to move independent of the drive portions through lift provided via the interconnection of the lift portions through the tension lines or wires.

Disclosed herein is a broad-based ship that may be facilitated for landing and taking off of multiple aircraft, in accordance with some embodiments. Accordingly, the broad-based ship may include hulls, decks, and elevators. Further, the hulls may be configured to be floatably disposable in a water body. Further, the decks may be supported on the hulls. Further, the decks may include a flight deck and a lower deck. Further, the flight deck may include airstrips configured for allowing landing and taking off of aircraft on the airstrips simultaneously. Further, the elevators may be configured for transporting the aircraft between the lower deck and the flight deck simultaneously. Further, the transporting may include transferring the aircraft from the lower deck to the flight deck simultaneously. Further, the taking off of the aircraft simultaneously may be based on the transferring.

Disclosed herein is a broad-based ship that may be facilitated for landing and taking off of multiple aircraft, in accordance with some embodiments. Accordingly, the broad-based ship may include hulls, decks, and elevators. Further, the hulls may be configured to be floatably disposable in a water body. Further, the decks may be supported on the hulls. Further, the decks may include a flight deck and a lower deck. Further, the flight deck may include airstrips configured for allowing landing and taking off of aircraft on the airstrips simultaneously. Further, the elevators may be configured for transporting the aircraft between the lower deck and the flight deck simultaneously. Further, the transporting may include transferring the aircraft from the lower deck to the flight deck simultaneously. Further, the taking off of the aircraft simultaneously may be based on the transferring.

Methods and apparatus to deploy unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) by kites are disclosed. An example apparatus to deploy a UAV includes a tether line to support the UAV, a tensioner operatively coupled to the tether line, and a kite operatively coupled to the tether line to support the tether line for deployment of the UAV.

Methods and apparatus to deploy unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) by kites are disclosed. An example apparatus to deploy a UAV includes a tether line to support the UAV, a tensioner operatively coupled to the tether line, and a kite operatively coupled to the tether line to support the tether line for deployment of the UAV.