A system and method is provided for controlling a suspended load comprising an aircraft, an apparatus at the aircraft comprising a winch adapted to deploy and retrieve a tether attached to the load. A stabilizer may be connected to the tether, the tether stabilizer including at least lateral thrust capability and sensors and control circuitry. In this embodiment, the control circuitry communicates with the aircraft, winch and stabilizer to translate the load attached to the tether and the aircraft is maneuvered at an altitude and airspeed in which the load is enabled to descend, ascend and translate laterally, by any of controlling a length of the tether with the winch, altering the path and speed of the aircraft and controlling the lateral thrust of the stabilizer.

A search and rescue drone system includes a buoyant body member, a frame attached to the buoyant body member for carrying a motor and propeller, and an electronic array including a camera, GPS, an EPIRB radio distress beacon, and a transmitter/receiver for remote control flying the drone and communicating with an operator. A laser guidance system may provide coordinates for landing near a swimmer in distress. The search and rescue drone may also be programmed to simply fly to the location of an electronic wearable device, like a bracelet, that is worn by a man overboard. In another embodiment, the search and rescue drone includes pivoting motor mounts, so that it can take off and land vertically with propellers rotating in a horizontal plane, and then the propellers may pivot to rotate in a vertical plane for propulsion across water similar to a fan boat with rescued people aboard.

A search and rescue drone system includes a buoyant body member, a frame attached to the buoyant body member for carrying a motor and propeller, and an electronic array including a camera, GPS, an EPIRB radio distress beacon, and a transmitter/receiver for remote control flying the drone and communicating with an operator. A laser guidance system may provide coordinates for landing near a swimmer in distress. The search and rescue drone may also be programmed to simply fly to the location of an electronic wearable device, like a bracelet, that is worn by a man overboard. In another embodiment, the search and rescue drone includes pivoting motor mounts, so that it can take off and land vertically with propellers rotating in a horizontal plane, and then the propellers may pivot to rotate in a vertical plane for propulsion across water similar to a fan boat with rescued people aboard.

A rescue package arrangement for launching from a moving platform such as an aircraft includes a container body externally sized and shaped to be launched from a moving platform using a launch tube and contains a main parachute located within the container; a drogue chute associated with the container deployed after deployment from the moving platform and connected to the main parachute by a drogue chute tether; a decelerator chute connected to the container and arranged to deploy with or after the drogue chute is deployed, and a delay mechanism arranged to delay deployment of the main parachute for a period of time after the drogue chute is deployed from the container. The container is adapted to contain a payload including at least one item for life support, and wherein the decelerator chute assists the stabilisation of the container during at least a portion of the flight of the container.

A rescue package arrangement for launching from a moving platform such as an aircraft includes a container body externally sized and shaped to be launched from a moving platform using a launch tube and contains a main parachute located within the container; a drogue chute associated with the container deployed after deployment from the moving platform and connected to the main parachute by a drogue chute tether; a decelerator chute connected to the container and arranged to deploy with or after the drogue chute is deployed, and a delay mechanism arranged to delay deployment of the main parachute for a period of time after the drogue chute is deployed from the container. The container is adapted to contain a payload including at least one item for life support, and wherein the decelerator chute assists the stabilisation of the container during at least a portion of the flight of the container.

Provided is a catching device for surface rescue based on an aircraft platform, and a surface rescue method. The catching device for surface rescue based on the aircraft platform includes a throwing mechanism, a flying mechanism, a recovery mechanism, an automatic control module, and a catching net. Both the throwing mechanism and the recovery mechanism are disposed on the flying mechanism, and the automatic control module automatically controls the throwing mechanism and the recovery mechanism. After the flying mechanism flies above a drowning person, the throwing mechanism is configured to throw the catching net towards the drowning person. After the catching net nets the drowning person, the recovery mechanism can drive a bottom of the catching net to close and lift the catching net upwards to approach the flying mechanism, and the flying mechanism is configured to drag the drowning person to a safe location.

Provided is a catching device for surface rescue based on an aircraft platform, and a surface rescue method. The catching device for surface rescue based on the aircraft platform includes a throwing mechanism, a flying mechanism, a recovery mechanism, an automatic control module, and a catching net. Both the throwing mechanism and the recovery mechanism are disposed on the flying mechanism, and the automatic control module automatically controls the throwing mechanism and the recovery mechanism. After the flying mechanism flies above a drowning person, the throwing mechanism is configured to throw the catching net towards the drowning person. After the catching net nets the drowning person, the recovery mechanism can drive a bottom of the catching net to close and lift the catching net upwards to approach the flying mechanism, and the flying mechanism is configured to drag the drowning person to a safe location.

A remote control drone assembly to assist in the rescue of distressed swimmers. The drone assembly includes a flotation device that can be released over a distressed swimmer. A retractable spool assembly attached to the drone assembly includes a line having a proximate end tethered to the spool assembly. The drone assembly is constructed and arranged to be flown by an operator over a distressed swimmer. The floatation device is released for use by the distressed swimmer and the drone assembly is returned to the operator. The retractable spool is detached from the drone assembly and attached to a spool retractor. The spool retractor retrieving the floatation device together with the distressed swimmer.

A remote control drone assembly to assist in the rescue of distressed swimmers. The drone assembly includes a flotation device that can be released over a distressed swimmer. A retractable spool assembly attached to the drone assembly includes a line having a proximate end tethered to the spool assembly. The drone assembly is constructed and arranged to be flown by an operator over a distressed swimmer. The floatation device is released for use by the distressed swimmer and the drone assembly is returned to the operator. The retractable spool is detached from the drone assembly and attached to a spool retractor. The spool retractor retrieving the floatation device together with the distressed swimmer.

A universal maritime craft aerial delivery system (UMCADS) is an airdrop system that enables the delivery, by parachute from military transport aircraft, of a multitude of surface and subsurface marine craft. The UMCADS can be used to deploy marine craft that will be manned on splash down and unmanned autonomous marine craft that could be operational immediately on landing. The UMCADS allows air cargo crews to assemble an air cargo transport platform from standard, modular components, reposition sub-assemblies and swap them out to accommodate a wide range of marine craft without the need to redesign the platform or recourse to the manufacturer. Incorporating actuators that do not require manual positioning by personnel beneath the platform during loading improves safety. A proven single point release system triggered by the actuator releases the platform from the marine craft after the marine craft and platform have left the delivery aircraft.