Autonomous unmanned vehicles (UVs) for responding to situations are described. Embodiments include UVs that launch upon detection of a situation, operate in the area of the situation, and collect and send information about the situation. The UVs may launch from a vehicle involved in the situation, a vehicle responding to the situation, or from a fixed station. In other embodiments, the UVs also provide communications relays to the situation and may facilitate access to the situation by responders. The UVs further may act as decoupled sensors for vehicles. In still other embodiments, the collected information may be used to recreate the situation as it happened.

An aircraft landing assist apparatus includes an image obtaining unit, a shape obtaining unit, a measuring unit, and a calculating unit. The image obtaining unit is configured to obtain an image of a surrounding region of a landing point on which an aircraft is to land. The shape obtaining unit is configured to obtain a shape of the surrounding region of the landing point on the basis of the obtained image. The measuring unit is configured to measure an above-air wind direction and an above-air wind velocity. The calculating unit is configured to calculate a landing-point wind direction and a landing-point wind velocity on the basis of the obtained shape of the surrounding region of the landing point, the measured above-air wind direction, and the measured above-air wind velocity.

An insect-like jumping-flying robot is provided, which includes a flying module, a driving module and biomimetic bouncing legs. The flying module provides flying power via a propeller and a miniature model airplane motor, and front wings and rear wings provide lift, and moment required for attitude change. The driving module provides power with high power density via a brushless motor and is provided with two stages of deceleration to amplify the torque provided by the brushless motor. The first stage of deceleration is performed by a synchronous wheel set, and the second stage of deceleration is performed by a gear set. A driving push rod is used to transmit the power provided by the brushless motor to the biomimetic bouncing legs.

In some examples, an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) may determine, based on a three-dimensional (3D) model including a plurality of points corresponding to a scan target, a scan plan for scanning at least a portion of the scan target. For instance, the scan plan may include a plurality of poses for the UAV to assume to capture images of the scan target. The UAV may capture with one or more image sensors, one or more images of the scan target from one or more poses of the plurality of poses. Further, the UAV may determine an update to the 3D model based at least in part on the one or more images. Additionally, the UAV may update the scan plan based at least in part on the update to the 3D model.

A system for deploying and retrieving an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) with a UAV carrier including a UAV bay, where the system includes a UAV pad including a UAV pad base and a UAV pad coupler to couple the UAV to the UAV pad base; a mechanical arm including a first end configured to couple to the UAV carrier, and a second end configured to couple to the UAV pad; and a controller configured to determine a deployment position for the UAV pad, determine a retrieval position for the UAV pad, control the UAV pad, and control the mechanical arm.

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.

An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) for a remote oceanic environment includes a float system, at least one electric motor, and a seawater battery. The float system allows the UAV to maintain buoyancy on a body of water. The electric motor or motors produce the required lift for the UAV to achieve and maintain flight. The flight includes the UAV landing on the body of water and takeoff from the body of water. The seawater battery directly or indirectly powers the electric motor or motors using seawater from the body of water while the UAV is floating on the body of water.

A method of executing a mission for at least one mobile munition assembly in a mission environment is provided, the at least one mobile munition assembly having a container that encloses one or more launchers configured to receive and launch a munition. One or more electronic devices in communicatively coupling with one another in the mission environment form a secure network. A status of a situational awareness (SA) corresponding to each of the one or more electronic devices in the mission environment is transmitted. An input of parameters of the mission for the at least one mobile munition assembly is enabled, the parameters having one or more predefined rules associated therewith and configured to be applied to the parameters based on at least the status of the situational awareness (SA). An authorization or a denial of the mission for the at least one mobile munition assembly is requested.

This disclosure details exemplary moonroof systems for vehicles. An exemplary moonroof system may include a pod assembly that may be received within an opening of a headliner. The pod assembly may be utilized to dock, deploy, and land an unmanned aerial vehicle relative to the moonroof system. The pod assembly may include a charging and cooling system for charging and cooling the unmanned aerial vehicle when it is docked within the pod assembly.