A method for retrieving personnel is provided. The method includes receiving a radio signal indicating a real-time position of personnel to be retrieved, deploying an unmanned aerial vehicle to the real-time position, receiving an indication that the personnel to be retrieved is on-board the unmanned aerial vehicle, and operating the unmanned aerial vehicle to move the personnel to a different location.

An aeroplane includes an escape opening passing through an external skin and an internal bulkhead. The escape opening is closed off by an external escape hatch having an external opening controller. The aeroplane further includes an internal escape hatch that closes off said escape opening flush with the internal bulkhead, and kept closed by at least one catch movable between a locked state and unlocked state, a first opening controller that controls the passage from the locked state to the unlocked state of the catch being accessible from inside the aeroplane, and a second opening controller that controls the passage from the locked state to the unlocked state of the catch being positioned such that the actuation of the external opening controller of the external escape hatch or the passage of the external escape hatch from the closed position to the open position causes the second opening controller to be actuated.

An aeroplane includes an escape opening passing through an external skin and an internal bulkhead. The escape opening is closed off by an external escape hatch having an external opening controller. The aeroplane further includes an internal escape hatch that closes off said escape opening flush with the internal bulkhead, and kept closed by at least one catch movable between a locked state and unlocked state, a first opening controller that controls the passage from the locked state to the unlocked state of the catch being accessible from inside the aeroplane, and a second opening controller that controls the passage from the locked state to the unlocked state of the catch being positioned such that the actuation of the external opening controller of the external escape hatch or the passage of the external escape hatch from the closed position to the open position causes the second opening controller to be actuated.

An aeroplane includes an external skin and an internal bulkhead delimiting a cabin, and an escape opening passing through the external skin and the internal bulkhead. The escape opening is closed off by an external escape hatch disposed flush with the external skin. The aeroplane also includes an internal escape hatch that closes off the escape opening disposed flush with the internal bulkhead, and pressure regulating means capable of automatically triggering an opening of the internal escape hatch or a part of the internal escape hatch when a pressure differential on both sides of the internal escape hatch exceeds a determined value.

An aeroplane includes an external skin and an internal bulkhead delimiting a cabin, and an escape opening passing through the external skin and the internal bulkhead. The escape opening is closed off by an external escape hatch disposed flush with the external skin. The aeroplane also includes an internal escape hatch that closes off the escape opening disposed flush with the internal bulkhead, and pressure regulating means capable of automatically triggering an opening of the internal escape hatch or a part of the internal escape hatch when a pressure differential on both sides of the internal escape hatch exceeds a determined value.

An airplane mainly extending along an axis between a nose group and a tail group is provided. The airplane has a fuselage extending axially between the nose group and the tail group and having a fuselage wall internally defining a fuselage housing, wings extending transversely to the axis from the fuselage, and at least one passenger pod having a pod wall defining a pressurized passenger housing in which passengers are accommodable. The at least one passenger pod is removably housable in the fuselage housing. The airplane is configurable in an operating configuration, suitable for allowing flight of the airplane, in which the at least one passenger pod is housed in the fuselage housing and an emergency configuration, in which, with the airplane in flight, the at least one passenger pod is ejected from the fuselage housing.

An airplane mainly extending along an axis between a nose group and a tail group is provided. The airplane has a fuselage extending axially between the nose group and the tail group and having a fuselage wall internally defining a fuselage housing, wings extending transversely to the axis from the fuselage, and at least one passenger pod having a pod wall defining a pressurized passenger housing in which passengers are accommodable. The at least one passenger pod is removably housable in the fuselage housing. The airplane is configurable in an operating configuration, suitable for allowing flight of the airplane, in which the at least one passenger pod is housed in the fuselage housing and an emergency configuration, in which, with the airplane in flight, the at least one passenger pod is ejected from the fuselage housing.

A craft is provided comprising: a propulsion system; a fuselage coupled with the propulsion system, wherein the fuselage is configured to carry a payload and fuel for the propulsion system; and a pre-assembled wing coupled with the fuselage; wherein the craft is designed to take-off without using a runway and does not have landing gear to land.

A craft is provided comprising: a propulsion system; a fuselage coupled with the propulsion system, wherein the fuselage is configured to carry a payload and fuel for the propulsion system; and a pre-assembled wing coupled with the fuselage; wherein the craft is designed to take-off without using a runway and does not have landing gear to land.

Pyrotechnic devices and firing mechanisms for aircraft canopy jettison are disclosed herein. An example firing mechanism includes a housing defining a first bore, a second bore, and a channel between the first bore and the second bore, a primary charge disposed in the second bore, a closure disc between the second bore and the channel, and a firing pin assembly disposed in the first bore. The firing pin assembly includes a percussion primer and a firing pin piston including a piston body, a firing pin extending from the piston body, and a piercing pin extending from the piston body. In response to a firing signal, the firing pin piston is moved toward the primary charge such that the piercing pin punctures the closure disc and the firing pin engages the percussion primer to ignite the primary charge.