Methods, apparatus, systems, and articles of manufacture are disclosed. An example arresting hook system for an aircraft includes a linkage assembly defining a trapeze deployment assembly of the arresting hook system, a pivot assembly to pivotally couple a hook shank to a primary pivot joint of an aft body, a vertical actuator coupled to a forward body and a frame of the aircraft to move the arresting hook system between a stowed position and an intermediate position, and a vertical damper actuator (VDA) including a cylinder and a piston. The cylinder pivotally coupled to the frame of the aircraft via a VDA pivot joint, the VDA to rotate relative to the frame of the aircraft, the piston having an end operatively coupled to the pivot assembly, the VDA to move the arresting hook system between the intermediate position and a deployed position.

An apparatus for use as part of, or attached to, an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) to intercept and entangle a threat unmanned aerial vehicle, includes a flight and payload control system for controlling power to the UAV and for controlling maneuvering of the UAV. A host-side mount may be coupled to the UAV and is in communication with the flight and payload control system. A payload-side mount is removably attached to the host-side mount and includes a power interface and a control interface between the payload-side mount and the host-side mount. A counter-UAV system is coupled to the payload-side mount and includes a deployable chute net having a cross-sectional area sized for intercepting and entangling the threat unmanned aerial vehicle; and a deployment mechanism for mounting to the unmanned aerial vehicle.

Methods, apparatus, systems, and articles of manufacture are disclosed. An example pivot assembly for use with an arresting hook includes a coupler having a first opening defining a first axis and a second opening defining a second axis, the first opening transverse relative to the second opening. A linkage arm has a body and an arm. The body includes a third opening defining a third axis. The first opening of the coupler is to receive the body of the linkage arm such that the second opening of the coupler coaxially aligns with the third opening of linkage arm. A pin extends through the second opening and the third opening to couple the coupler and the linkage arm.

Methods, apparatus, systems, and articles of manufacture are disclosed. An example pivot assembly for use with an arresting hook includes a coupler having a first opening defining a first axis and a second opening defining a second axis, the first opening transverse relative to the second opening. A linkage arm has a body and an arm. The body includes a third opening defining a third axis. The first opening of the coupler is to receive the body of the linkage arm such that the second opening of the coupler coaxially aligns with the third opening of linkage arm. A pin extends through the second opening and the third opening to couple the coupler and the linkage arm.

Methods, apparatus, systems, and articles of manufacture are disclosed. An example arresting hook system for an aircraft includes a linkage assembly defining a trapeze deployment assembly of the arresting hook system, a pivot assembly to pivotally couple a hook shank to a primary pivot joint of an aft body, a vertical actuator coupled to a forward body and a frame of the aircraft to move the arresting hook system between a stowed position and an intermediate position, and a vertical damper actuator (VDA) including a cylinder and a piston. The cylinder pivotally coupled to the frame of the aircraft via a VDA pivot joint, the VDA to rotate relative to the frame of the aircraft, the piston having an end operatively coupled to the pivot assembly, the VDA to move the arresting hook system between the intermediate position and a deployed position.

Methods, apparatus, systems, and articles of manufacture are disclosed. An example arresting hook system for an aircraft includes a linkage assembly defining a trapeze deployment assembly of the arresting hook system, a pivot assembly to pivotally couple a hook shank to a primary pivot joint of an aft body, a vertical actuator coupled to a forward body and a frame of the aircraft to move the arresting hook system between a stowed position and an intermediate position, and a vertical damper actuator (VDA) including a cylinder and a piston. The cylinder pivotally coupled to the frame of the aircraft via a VDA pivot joint, the VDA to rotate relative to the frame of the aircraft, the piston having an end operatively coupled to the pivot assembly, the VDA to move the arresting hook system between the intermediate position and a deployed position.

Aerial launch and/or recovery for unmanned aircraft, and associated systems and methods. A representative system includes a first, carrier aircraft having an airframe a propulsion system carried by the airframe and positioned to support the carrier aircraft in hover, and a capture line carried by the carrier aircraft and deployable to hang from the carrier aircraft. The capture line is sized to releasably engage with a capture device of a second, carried aircraft. The system further includes a retrieval device positioned to support the carried aircraft for detachment from the capture line.

Aerial launch and/or recovery for unmanned aircraft, and associated systems and methods. A representative system includes a first, carrier aircraft having an airframe a propulsion system carried by the airframe and positioned to support the carrier aircraft in hover, and a capture line carried by the carrier aircraft and deployable to hang from the carrier aircraft. The capture line is sized to releasably engage with a capture device of a second, carried aircraft. The system further includes a retrieval device positioned to support the carried aircraft for detachment from the capture line.

Unmanned aerial vehicles including wing capture devices and related methods are disclosed. An example unmanned aerial vehicle includes a fuselage and a wing assembly, the wing assembly including a shoulder coupled to the fuselage, the shoulder including a joint, the joint distal to the fuselage, a wing coupled to the joint, and a hook, the hook coupled to the shoulder, the hook including a groove to receive a cable to arrest flight of the unmanned aerial vehicle.

Unmanned aerial vehicles including wing capture devices and related methods are disclosed. An example unmanned aerial vehicle includes a fuselage and a wing assembly, the wing assembly including a shoulder coupled to the fuselage, the shoulder including a joint, the joint distal to the fuselage, a wing coupled to the joint, and a hook, the hook coupled to the shoulder, the hook including a groove to receive a cable to arrest flight of the unmanned aerial vehicle.