Disclosed is a sonobuoy that houses at least one unmanned vehicle that may be launched from the sonobuoy. The sonobuoy may include a canister, a parachute, an unmanned vehicle, and a launch mechanism. The parachute may be disposed within an interior cavity of the canister proximate to a first end of the canister. The unmanned vehicle may be disposed within the interior cavity of the canister proximate to a second end of the canister. The launch mechanism may be disposed within the interior cavity of the canister and operatively coupled to the unmanned vehicle. The launch mechanism may be configured to launch the unmanned vehicle from the canister. The sonobuoy may further include a launch deployment mechanism that may be configured to orient the canister with respect to a surface after the sonobuoy impacts the surface in order to facilitate the launch of the unmanned vehicle.

To provide a flying object including a lift generating member deployment device that makes it easier than before to automatically avoid collision with an obstacle. A flying object 30 includes an obstacle detecting unit 5, a control unit 6, a battery 7, a storage unit 8 that stores information transmitted from the control unit 6, a transmitting/receiving unit 9 that receives an operation signal from a controller 40 and transmits information regarding the flying object 30 to the controller 40, and others. The obstacle detecting unit 5 is to detect the altitude of the flying object 30 and outputs an altitude detection signal, which represents the detected altitude information, to the control unit 6. In addition, upon detecting an obstacle present within a predetermined distance, the obstacle detecting unit 5 outputs an obstacle detection signal to the control unit 6, detects the distance between the flying object body 31 and the obstacle, and outputs a distance detection signal, which represents the detected distance information, to the control unit 6. The control unit 6 determines whether or not to actuate left and right brake cord pulling devices 10 in accordance with the signal received from the obstacle detecting unit 5.

A system is disclosed that includes an interface which receives sensor information associated with a vehicle, a severing tool, a parachute load limiting device state controller, and a reefing device. The controller determines, based at least in part on the sensor information, whether to instruct the severing tool to release a reefing device prior to parachute deployment. If it is determined to instruct the severing tool to release the reefing device prior to the parachute deployment, the severing tool is so instructed. If it is determined to not instruct the severing tool to release the reefing device prior to the parachute deployment, the reefing device is configured to be situated around a parachute canopy to constrain the parachute canopy during an initial state and slide down the parachute canopy to a position below the parachute canopy to constrain one or more parachute tethers.

A system is disclosed that includes an interface which receives sensor information associated with a vehicle, a severing tool, a parachute load limiting device state controller, and a reefing device. The controller determines, based at least in part on the sensor information, whether to instruct the severing tool to release a reefing device prior to parachute deployment. If it is determined to instruct the severing tool to release the reefing device prior to the parachute deployment, the severing tool is so instructed. If it is determined to not instruct the severing tool to release the reefing device prior to the parachute deployment, the reefing device is configured to be situated around a parachute canopy to constrain the parachute canopy during an initial state and slide down the parachute canopy to a position below the parachute canopy to constrain one or more parachute tethers.

An electronic parachute deployment system including an electronic actuator, a control module, a deployment actuator, and a release mechanism. A parachute is positioned on a payload device, such as a racecar, to slow or stop the payload upon receipt of an electronic deployment activation signal. The electronic deployment signal is verified, including determining proper voltage and source. The deployment system includes multiple redundancies including mechanical deployment redundancy, remote deployment redundancy, and power supply redundancy. The control module responsible for monitoring deployment includes indicators and sensors to indicate a status, operation, or mode relative to the operability of the payload device, relative to components of the release mechanism, and relative to the parachute deployment.

An electronic parachute deployment system including an electronic actuator, a control module, a deployment actuator, and a release mechanism. A parachute is positioned on a payload device, such as a racecar, to slow or stop the payload upon receipt of an electronic deployment activation signal. The electronic deployment signal is verified, including determining proper voltage and source. The deployment system includes multiple redundancies including mechanical deployment redundancy, remote deployment redundancy, and power supply redundancy. The control module responsible for monitoring deployment includes indicators and sensors to indicate a status, operation, or mode relative to the operability of the payload device, relative to components of the release mechanism, and relative to the parachute deployment.

Systems, devices, and methods including: a latching mechanism comprising: a first latch configured to attach to a door of an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV); a second latch configured to attach to a portion of the UAV distal from the first latch; a string connected between the first and second latch, where the string secures the door shut; at least two radio modules in communication with a ground control station; and at least two burn wires in contact with a portion of the string between the first latch and the second latch; where current from a backup battery passes to at least one burn wire when the burn signal is received, where the burn wire causes the connection between the first latch and the second latch to be broken and the door of the UAV is separated from the UAV.

A device that detects deployment of a parachute. The device is configured to be operatively connected to the parachute, such as through a container that holds the parachute. The device includes a cable with one or more connectors. The device also includes a controller that monitors a status of the cable. The cable is operatively connected to the container such as through a line. The container opens during deployment of the parachute. This opening causes one or more of the connectors to disengage thus causing an open circuit in the cable that is detected by the controller.

A device that detects deployment of a parachute. The device is configured to be operatively connected to the parachute, such as through a container that holds the parachute. The device includes a cable with one or more connectors. The device also includes a controller that monitors a status of the cable. The cable is operatively connected to the container such as through a line. The container opens during deployment of the parachute. This opening causes one or more of the connectors to disengage thus causing an open circuit in the cable that is detected by the controller.

Systems and methods to cut a closing loop to deploy a parachute. The system includes a cutter with a body with a cutter opening that extends through the body and a blade that is movable across the cutter opening. Processing circuitry is configured to signal the cutter to move the blade across the cutter opening. A mount includes a base, a retainer with a channel sized to receive the cutter, and a mount opening that extends through the mount and across the channel. The cutter is configured to fit within the channel with the cutter opening aligned with the mount opening to form a through-opening such that the closing loop extends through the cutter and the mount.