A ground station for aerial vehicles including a protective casing, at least one charging mechanism, and an extendable landing pad. The extended landing pad is operable to transition between a closed configuration having dimensions suitable to be contained within said protective casing, and an open configuration having dimensions suitable to land the aerial vehicle.

A system including an aerial vehicle having an airframe and a power source onboard the aerial vehicle, wherein the aerial vehicle includes a landing gear structure having a first electrical contact and a second electrical contact, and a charging station having a first electrical contact and a second electrical contact, wherein the aerial vehicle is programmed to dock with the charging station when the power source is in need of recharging, the docking being a mechanical engagement between the first electrical contact and the second electrical contact of the aerial vehicle with the first electrical contact and the second electrical contact of the charging station is provided. A method for continuous surveillance utilizing the aerial vehicles and charging stations is also provided.

A method and an apparatus for controlling an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) to land on a landing platform are provided. The method includes: receiving a landing preparatory signal instructing the UAV to enter into a landing preparatory state; monitoring the landing platform to generate a monitoring signal in response to the landing preparatory signal; and determining whether to control the UAV to enter into a landing mode based on the monitoring signal.

A system for autonomously replacing batteries or fuel cells on small aerial vehicles such as Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) or radio-controlled aircraft (RC) is described. At the core of this system is a “universal battery receptacle” that can be added to a variety of unmanned aircraft platforms and provides a uniform interface for battery or fuel cell replacement in the form of a commensurately designed “universal fuel cell”.

Additionally, a system is described through which an aerial vehicle can be accepted, manipulated, the batteries replaced, and the vehicle re-launched, all without direct user intervention. Such systems can be deployed across a geographic area to increase the range of aerial vehicles without extensive ground support personnel.

A landing pad for an unmanned aerial vehicle (“UAV”) is disclosed. The landing pad includes a support structure, a charging pad, and a plurality of movable UAV supports. The charging pad is coupled to the support structure and able to move relative to the support structure. The UAV supports are also coupled to the support structure and configured to translate along the support structure from a first position to a second position. When the UAV supports are in the first position, the charging pad supports the UAV. When the UAV supports are in the second position, the charging pad is lowered and the UAV supports then provide support to the UAV.

Provided is a system including a platform to receive unmanned air vehicles (UAVs) thereon for launching and retrieving the UAVs, and a method therefor. The system can include a pair of gantry arms that move to any location along the platform to position a UAV as desired. The platform includes a door that can open to expose a storage area in the system to receive and store UAVs, as well as to re-charge power in the UAVs. The storage area can include a plurality of cells that can be adjusted to receive a UAV of any size for storage therein.

An Automatic Service Station Facility (ASSF) for replenishing various motivational energy sources onboard different types of AUV, Drones, and Remotely Controlled (RC) or robotic vehicles is disclosed herein. In one embodiment, the automatic service station facility includes a rack, replaceable fuel tanks, a service module, and an electronic computer control system. The replaceable fuel tanks are stocked on the rack and substantially filled with various fluids which are utile as motivational energy sources within fuel-operated vehicles. The service module is mounted on the rack, and the electronic computer control system is connected in electrical communication with the service module. In this configuration, the service module is controllably operable to receive a depleted replaceable fuel tank from a fuel-operated vehicle and also selectively deliver one of the filled replaceable fuel tanks onboard the vehicle. In another embodiment, the service station facility may also stock replaceable batteries for selective delivery onboard battery-operated vehicles. In another embodiment, the ASSF is self-propelled, remotely controlled, and solar powered, being able to move long distances to remote locations which may be hazardous to humans, such as disaster zones or battle fields, where the ASSF can service AUV, Drones, and Remotely Controlled (RC) or robotic vehicles needed for the particular applications. Alternatively, the solar powered ASSF can be made to move continuously and service vehicles continuously for long duration operations like herding cattle for example.

Disclosed is a naval platform equipped with a deck-landing/takeoff zone for at least one aircraft and dolly-type mechanism for handling the aircraft to move it over the deck-landing/takeoff zone. The dolly-type mechanism includes a vacuum disc for immobilizing the dolly and thereby securing the aircraft in position on the deck-landing/takeoff zone, the operation of which is triggered by an analyzer of the behavior of the platform in order to avoid any risk of uncontrolled movement of the aircraft.

The present disclosure is generally related to a system and method for a recharging station for an electric aircraft. The system may include a landing pad and a recharging component coupled to the landing pad. Further, the system may include a power delivery unit configured to deliver stored power from a power supply unit to the recharging component and wherein the floating platform is in direct contact with a body of water.

A mechanically secure docking platform for unmanned VTOL aircraft (“drone”) or other automated vehicle, acting as an automated battery recharging system for drones or a battery quick change system for drones. The system also is capable of enabling an automated data logistics system for drones, an autonomous guidance system for landing and docking for drones, and/or an autonomous guidance system for undocking and takeoff for drones.