A method for policing and managing the operation of a flying, unmanned aircraft in the event of usurpation of control of, malfunction of, or ill-intentioned use of, this aircraft includes the steps of (a) detecting inappropriate operation of the aircraft; (b) transmitting a takeover command to the aircraft to interrupt control of the operation of this aircraft by a first pilot and relinquish control of the aircraft to a second pilot; and (c) transmitting control commands to the aircraft to control its operation by the second pilot, until the need for alternate pilot control of the aircraft has ended or until the aircraft has landed safely.

In some embodiments, apparatuses and methods are provided herein useful to identifying and evaluating an unidentified autonomous vehicle (AV) during a retail product delivery. In some embodiments, there is provided a system for identifying and evaluating an unidentified AV including a first identified AV configured to transport one or more retail products comprising: a plurality of sensors configured to provide sensor data used to determine patterns of movement of AVs over a time period; and an AV control circuit configured to: receive the sensor data; determine one or more patterns of movement of an unidentified AV based on the sensor data; determine whether the one or more patterns of movement of the unidentified AV is inconsistent with one or more sets of expected patterns of movement of the plurality of identified AVs; and identify that the unidentified AV is not associated with a retail store.

Systems, methods, and computer-readable storage media for retrieving, for an autonomous vehicle which is moving, a navigation path from a memory device in communication with a processor. The system generates a navigation path range based on the navigation path, the navigation path range allowing a threshold distance from the navigation path, and identifying a current location of the autonomous vehicle. The system also determines that the current location of the autonomous vehicle is outside the navigation path range, sends a request to the autonomous vehicle for a list of reasons for the navigation path distinction, and receives (from the autonomous vehicle) the list of reasons for the navigation path distinction. The system compares the list of reasons to a list of acceptable causes for the autonomous vehicle to not be within the navigation path range and determines that an intrusion attempt on the autonomous vehicle is being made.

Various systems and methods for disabling UAVs are presented. An interrogation system may transmit an identifier request message to a UAV. The interrogation system may receive, in response to the identifier request message, a response message that indicates a UAV identifier. The interrogation system may access one or more UAV identifier databases that relate UAV identifiers with airspace definitions. The interrogation system may retrieve from the one or more UAV identifier database systems an airspace definition corresponding to the UAV identifier. The interrogation system may determine that the UAV is to be disabled based on: a location of the UAV, a restricted airspace definition, and the airspace definition corresponding to the UAV identifier. The interrogation system may then transmit a disablement instruction message to the UAV based on the location of the UAV and the airspace definition corresponding to the UAV identifier.

A lock in a vehicle is automatically controlled based at least in part on a state associated with the vehicle. In response to an attempt to open a hatch using an interior release lever while in a locked state, the automatically-controlled lock in the locked state prevents the hatch from opening. In response to an attempt to open the hatch using an exterior release lever while the automatically-controlled lock is in the locked state, a bypass to the automatically-controlled lock is used to open the hatch.

An aircraft is described. The aircraft includes an avionics management system including one or more control display units. The control display units include an alphanumeric keyboard. By the alphanumeric keyboard, an operator within the aircraft may input a personal identification number (PIN). The input PIN is received from the alphanumeric keyboard and compared with a PIN stored in memory. When the input PIN is validated, the avionics management system changes a system state from not validated to validated, thereby permitting the control display unit to access otherwise unavailable mobile user objective system (MUOS) feature sets, such as viewing MUOS presets or tuning to the MUOS presets.

Embodiments herein describe a perch for screening drones before permitting access to a restricted geographic region. The perch may include various scanners for evaluating the payload of the drone, its hardware, and flight control software. In one embodiment, the screening perch includes a conveyor belt that moves the drone through various scanners or stages in the perch. In one embodiment, the perch ensures the drone is properly configured to enter the restricted geographic region. The region may include multiple requirements or criteria that must be satisfied before a drone is permitted to enter. For example, the drone may need a signed flight plan, cargo that is less than a certain percentage of its weight, or an approved flight controller before being permitted into the restricted region. In this manner, the perch serves as a controlled entrance point for drones attempting to enter the restricted region.

In an aspect an apparatus for encrypting external communication for an electric aircraft. The apparatus may comprise a communication component configured to communicate with a network node. The apparatus may also include a battery pack configured to power the electric aircraft and a battery sensor, wherein a battery senor is configured to generate battery datum. A computing device may be included within the apparatus. The computing device may be configured to be receive the battery datum, encrypt the battery datum using an encryption process, identify the network node and transmit the encrypted battery datum to the network node using the communication component.

A flight deck barrier door for an aircraft, the flight deck barrier door including a door frame and a door panel in the door frame. The door panel has a plurality of vents. The door panel and door frame have a minimum total vented surface area of 1000 square inches.

A method for policing and managing the operation of a flying, unmanned aircraft in the event of usurpation of control of, malfunction of, or ill-intentioned use of, this aircraft includes the steps of (a) detecting inappropriate operation of the aircraft; (b) transmitting a takeover command to the aircraft to interrupt control of the operation of this aircraft by a first pilot and relinquish control of the aircraft to a second pilot; and (c) transmitting control commands to the aircraft to control its operation by the second pilot, until the need for alternate pilot control of the aircraft has ended or until the aircraft has landed safely.