Systems and methods include providing vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) aircraft with a cargo pod having a selectively inflatable bladder system that firmly secures a payload disposed within the cargo pod when the bladder system is pressurized. The bladder system also controls the location, position, and/or orientation of the payload in order to adjust, control, and/or maintain the center of gravity of the aircraft during flight. The aircraft includes an impact protection system that further pressurizes the bladder system to protect the payload and/or that disperses a flame-retardant fluid into the cargo pod to protect electrical components of the aircraft. The aircraft is fully autonomous and self-directed via a preprogrammed location-based guidance system to allow for accurate delivery of the payload to its intended destination. The bladder system is depressurized in response to a landing event to allow for e f the payload from the cargo pod.

Systems and methods include providing vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) aircraft with a cargo pod having a selectively inflatable bladder system that firmly secures a payload disposed within the cargo pod when the bladder system is pressurized. The bladder system also controls the location, position, and/or orientation of the payload in order to adjust, control, and/or maintain the center of gravity of the aircraft during flight. The aircraft includes an impact protection system that further pressurizes the bladder system to protect the payload and/or that disperses a flame-retardant fluid into the cargo pod to protect electrical components of the aircraft. The aircraft is fully autonomous and self-directed via a preprogrammed location-based guidance system to allow for accurate delivery of the payload to its intended destination. The bladder system is depressurized in response to a landing event to allow for e f the payload from the cargo pod.

A method of transporting cargo, a cargo transport system and an unmanned Wing In Ground Effect vessel (UWIG) for transporting the cargo. A wake up signal indicates assignment of a new delivery. The UWIG begins pre-flight, causes cargo to be transported to the UWIG, and causes the cargo loaded into UWIG storage compartments. Once loaded and the loaded UWIG is ready, the UWIG taxis, e.g., to the open sea. Environmentally sealed PAR thrust fans provide PAR thrust during takeoff. The UWIG flies to a delivery location where cargo is unloaded, and may be stored.

A method of transporting cargo, a cargo transport system and an unmanned Wing In Ground Effect vessel (UWIG) for transporting the cargo. A wake up signal indicates assignment of a new delivery. The UWIG begins pre-flight, causes cargo to be transported to the UWIG, and causes the cargo loaded into UWIG storage compartments. Once loaded and the loaded UWIG is ready, the UWIG taxis, e.g., to the open sea. Environmentally sealed PAR thrust fans provide PAR thrust during takeoff. The UWIG flies to a delivery location where cargo is unloaded, and may be stored.

A landing apparatus for an airship or hybrid air vehicle. The landing apparatus comprises a hollow, non-toroidal, flexible enclosure (103), having a substantially vertical axis (104), and a substantially circular cross-section centred on the axis. A base (122) of the enclosure is arranged to contact the ground. The enclosure (103) is inflatable with air or gas for landing, and deflatable for retraction of the enclosure during flight.

A landing apparatus for an airship or hybrid air vehicle. The landing apparatus comprises a hollow, non-toroidal, flexible enclosure (103), having a substantially vertical axis (104), and a substantially circular cross-section centred on the axis. A base (122) of the enclosure is arranged to contact the ground. The enclosure (103) is inflatable with air or gas for landing, and deflatable for retraction of the enclosure during flight.

A measuring device, method of measuring, and transport vessel including the measuring device measuring the ground effect region for the vessel in real time and controlling the transport vessel, e.g., a Wing In Ground Effect (WIG) vessel, to remain in ground effect based on those measurements. Distance measurement sensors are distributed about the bottom surface of the vessel and communicating sensor signals with a controller during flight. The controller determines the ground effect region for said WIG in real time from the sensor signals and determines WIG transit elevation.

A measuring device, method of measuring, and transport vessel including the measuring device measuring the ground effect region for the vessel in real time and controlling the transport vessel, e.g., a Wing In Ground Effect (WIG) vessel, to remain in ground effect based on those measurements. Distance measurement sensors are distributed about the bottom surface of the vessel and communicating sensor signals with a controller during flight. The controller determines the ground effect region for said WIG in real time from the sensor signals and determines WIG transit elevation.

A method of transporting cargo, a cargo transport system and an unmanned Wing In Ground Effect vessel (UWIG) for transporting the cargo. A wake up signal indicates assignment of a new delivery. The UWIG begins pre-flight, causes cargo to be transported to the UWIG, and causes the cargo loaded into UWIG storage compartments. Once loaded and the loaded UWIG is ready, the UWIG taxis, e.g., to the open sea. Environmentally sealed PAR thrust fans provide PAR thrust during takeoff. The UWIG flies to a delivery location where cargo is unloaded, and may be stored.

A method of transporting cargo, a cargo transport system and an unmanned Wing In Ground Effect vessel (UWIG) for transporting the cargo. A wake up signal indicates assignment of a new delivery. The UWIG begins pre-flight, causes cargo to be transported to the UWIG, and causes the cargo loaded into UWIG storage compartments. Once loaded and the loaded UWIG is ready, the UWIG taxis, e.g., to the open sea. Environmentally sealed PAR thrust fans provide PAR thrust during takeoff. The UWIG flies to a delivery location where cargo is unloaded, and may be stored.