[Problem] To provide a flying body having a new structure capable of improving flight efficiency. [Solution] The problem is addressed by a flying body capable of traveling along at least a first direction and comprising an airframe part and an auxiliary part wherein the airframe part has a body part and a lift generating part, the body part having a right part and a left part extending along the first direction and a connecting part whereby the ends of the right part and the left part in a second direction opposing to the first direction are connected. The flying body is thus configured so as to create a surrounded space surrounded by the left part, the right part, and the connecting part when seen from a third direction perpendicular to the first direction.

Autonomous unmanned vehicles (UVs) for responding to situations are described. Embodiments include UVs that launch upon detection of a situation, operate in the area of the situation, and collect and send information about the situation. The UVs may launch from a vehicle involved in the situation, a vehicle responding to the situation, or from a fixed station. In other embodiments, the UVs also provide communications relays to the situation and may facilitate access to the situation by responders. The UVs further may act as decoupled sensors for vehicles. In still other embodiments, the collected information may be used to recreate the situation as it happened.

Autonomous unmanned vehicles (UVs) for responding to situations are described. Embodiments include UVs that launch upon detection of a situation, operate in the area of the situation, and collect and send information about the situation. The UVs may launch from a vehicle involved in the situation, a vehicle responding to the situation, or from a fixed station. In other embodiments, the UVs also provide communications relays to the situation and may facilitate access to the situation by responders. The UVs further may act as decoupled sensors for vehicles. In still other embodiments, the collected information may be used to recreate the situation as it happened.

Stability of an unmanned aerial vehicle is sought by using a flight controller of an unmanned aerial vehicle control system for controlling flying by an unmanned aerial vehicle based on an instruction from a first operator. A determiner is used to determine whether a second operator visually recognizes the unmanned aerial vehicle based on a predetermined determination method. A switcher is used to switch, based on a result of the determination obtained by the determiner, from a first state, in which the unmanned aerial vehicle flies in accordance with an instruction from the first operator, to a second state, in which the unmanned aerial vehicle flies in accordance with an instruction from the second operator.

Stability of an unmanned aerial vehicle is sought by using a flight controller of an unmanned aerial vehicle control system for controlling flying by an unmanned aerial vehicle based on an instruction from a first operator. A determiner is used to determine whether a second operator visually recognizes the unmanned aerial vehicle based on a predetermined determination method. A switcher is used to switch, based on a result of the determination obtained by the determiner, from a first state, in which the unmanned aerial vehicle flies in accordance with an instruction from the first operator, to a second state, in which the unmanned aerial vehicle flies in accordance with an instruction from the second operator.

Presently disclosed subject matter integrates a method of using thousands of semi-autonomous unmanned aerial vehicles, herein called drones, to deliver vastly superior amounts of fire retardant over substantially larger and variably-shaped drop patterns. Each drone is able to swap its own batteries with freshly charged batteries and each drone is able to refill its container with water or fire retardant. Once launched, a swarm of drones can perform repeated trips from the water/retardant source to the fire without human involvement other than the high-level tasking of where to drop the retardant. Once a general drop destination and drop pattern shape is designated, the swarm can transport retardant to that location, form itself into the desired drop shape, and deploy retardant. The drone body is designed to be modular so different components can be attached with ease and no special training or knowledge required.

Presently disclosed subject matter integrates a method of using thousands of semi-autonomous unmanned aerial vehicles, herein called drones, to deliver vastly superior amounts of fire retardant over substantially larger and variably-shaped drop patterns. Each drone is able to swap its own batteries with freshly charged batteries and each drone is able to refill its container with water or fire retardant. Once launched, a swarm of drones can perform repeated trips from the water/retardant source to the fire without human involvement other than the high-level tasking of where to drop the retardant. Once a general drop destination and drop pattern shape is designated, the swarm can transport retardant to that location, form itself into the desired drop shape, and deploy retardant. The drone body is designed to be modular so different components can be attached with ease and no special training or knowledge required.

A system, computer-implemented method and non-transitory computer readable medium storing instructions for generating a two-dimensional (2D) map of an area of interest are provided. The system comprises a processor and memory storing instructions which when executed by the processor configure the processor to perform the method. The method comprises determining a perimeter of an area of interest, obtaining nadir images of the area of interest, obtaining at least one oblique image of the area of interest from at least one corner of the perimeter, and processing the nadir and oblique images together to form the 2D map of the area of interest.

A system, computer-implemented method and non-transitory computer readable medium storing instructions for generating a two-dimensional (2D) map of an area of interest are provided. The system comprises a processor and memory storing instructions which when executed by the processor configure the processor to perform the method. The method comprises determining a perimeter of an area of interest, obtaining nadir images of the area of interest, obtaining at least one oblique image of the area of interest from at least one corner of the perimeter, and processing the nadir and oblique images together to form the 2D map of the area of interest.

A method of targeting, which involves capturing a first video of a scene about a potential targeting coordinate by a first video sensor on a first aircraft; transmitting the first video and associated potential targeting coordinate by the first aircraft; receiving the first video on a first display in communication with a processor, the processor also receiving the potential targeting coordinate; selecting the potential targeting coordinate to be an actual targeting coordinate for a second aircraft in response to viewing the first video on the first display; and guiding a second aircraft toward the actual targeting coordinate; where positive identification of a target corresponding to the actual targeting coordinate is maintained from selection of the actual targeting coordinate.