A precision landing system is described for an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). The system may include one or more anchors configured for placement in proximity to a landing zone, a tag configured for securement to the UAV where the tag wirelessly communicates with at least three or more of the anchors. A controller may be configured to fly the UAV towards a centerline axis defined through a first airspace zone at a first altitude above the landing zone while descending towards the first altitude and then fly the UAV towards the centerline axis defined through a second airspace zone at a second altitude which is below the first altitude while descending towards the second altitude, and finally to fly the UAV towards the centerline axis defined through a third airspace zone at a third altitude which is below the second altitude while descending towards the landing zone.

A precision landing system is described for an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). The system may include one or more anchors configured for placement in proximity to a landing zone, a tag configured for securement to the UAV where the tag wirelessly communicates with at least three or more of the anchors. A controller may be configured to fly the UAV towards a centerline axis defined through a first airspace zone at a first altitude above the landing zone while descending towards the first altitude and then fly the UAV towards the centerline axis defined through a second airspace zone at a second altitude which is below the first altitude while descending towards the second altitude, and finally to fly the UAV towards the centerline axis defined through a third airspace zone at a third altitude which is below the second altitude while descending towards the landing zone.

A server includes at least one processor and at least one memory. The at least one memory includes computer program code. The at least one memory and the computer program code are configured, with the at least one processor, to cause the server to at least obtain task description information of a target task and status information of one or more dock apparatuses communicatively connected to the server, determine a target dock apparatus from the one or more dock apparatuses according to the task description information and the status information, and send a dispatching instruction to the target dock apparatus to instruct the target dock apparatus to select, according to the dispatching instruction, a target UAV from one or more UAVs to perform the target task. The one or more UAVs are carried by and communicatively connected to the target dock apparatus.

A server includes at least one processor and at least one memory. The at least one memory includes computer program code. The at least one memory and the computer program code are configured, with the at least one processor, to cause the server to at least obtain task description information of a target task and status information of one or more dock apparatuses communicatively connected to the server, determine a target dock apparatus from the one or more dock apparatuses according to the task description information and the status information, and send a dispatching instruction to the target dock apparatus to instruct the target dock apparatus to select, according to the dispatching instruction, a target UAV from one or more UAVs to perform the target task. The one or more UAVs are carried by and communicatively connected to the target dock apparatus.

A computer-implemented system and associated method of operating a Small Uncrewed Aircraft System (SUAS) including at least one Small Uncrewed Aircraft or drone. The method comprises capturing data during operation of the SUAS from a number of sensors of different types, performing analysis on the captured data using one or more Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning (AI/ML) models that have been trained on data sets including historical SUAS data and SUAS system fault data, to predict or identify a potential SUAS failure mode, and when a potential failure mode is predicted or identified, providing a course of action for further operation of the SUAS based on a severity and predicted timing of the SUAS failure mode.

Autoland systems and processes for landing an aircraft without pilot intervention are described. In implementations, the autoland system includes a memory operable to store one or more modules and at least one processor coupled to the memory. The processor is operable to execute the one or more modules to identify a plurality of potential destinations for an aircraft. The processor can also calculate a merit for each potential destination identified, select a destination based upon the merit; receive terrain data and/or obstacle data, the including terrain characteristic(s) and/or obstacle characteristic(s); and create a route from a current position of the aircraft to an approach fix associated with the destination, the route accounting for the terrain characteristic(s) and/or obstacle characteristic(s). The processor can also cause the aircraft to traverse the route, and cause the aircraft to land at the destination without requiring pilot intervention.

An intelligent device for autonomous navigation of a drone comprising a control unit arranged to communicate with a remote-control station by a wireless connection, acquire a mission route ? that the drone is arranged to follow to reach a desired destination, the mission route ? being defined by means of coordinates x.sub.m(t), y.sub.m(t), z.sub.m(t) with respect to a reference system S(x,y,z), periodically acquire values x.sub.d, y.sub.d, z.sub.d corresponding to the components of the spatial position, values v.sub.x, v.sub.y, v.sub.z corresponding to the components of the speed and values a.sub.x, a.sub.y, a.sub.z corresponding to the components of the acceleration. Furthermore, in the event that a predetermined kinematic condition occurs, the control unit is arranged to check the status of the wireless connection with the remote-control station and, in the event that the wireless connection is active, send an alarm signal to the remote-control station and wait a response time t.sub.r.

An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), a stand for launching, landing, testing, refueling and recharging a UAV, and methods for testing, landing and launching the UAV are disclosed. Further, embodiments may include transferring a payload onto or off of the UAV, and loading flight planning and diagnostic maintenance information to the UAV.

Autonomous return to dock and docking procedures includes a dock and an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). The dock includes a first fiducial and second fiducial. The UAV includes a camera, one or more processors, and one or more memories. The one or more processors configured to execute instructions stored in the one or more memories to determine to use the dock for a landing operation by processing a first image depicting the first fiducial, to determine a UAV placement for the landing operation at the dock by processing a second image depicting the second fiducial, and to perform the landing operation to land the UAV at the dock according to the UAV placement.

Autonomous return to dock and docking procedures includes a dock and an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). The dock includes a first fiducial and second fiducial. The UAV includes a camera, one or more processors, and one or more memories. The one or more processors configured to execute instructions stored in the one or more memories to determine to use the dock for a landing operation by processing a first image depicting the first fiducial, to determine a UAV placement for the landing operation at the dock by processing a second image depicting the second fiducial, and to perform the landing operation to land the UAV at the dock according to the UAV placement.