An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) 1 of the vertical take-off and landing (VTOL)-type that can be launched from a launcher tube 2 is provided. A launcher 2 for launching the UAV 1 is also provided. The UAV 1 comprises a housing 10 and a transition mechanism 100 for transitioning the UAV 1 between a collapsed configuration for stowing the UAV 1 in a launcher tube 21 and a flight configuration. The housing 10 and the transition mechanism 100 are configured so that one or more rotors 12a-d that, in use, are connected to the transition mechanism 100 are located substantially within the housing 10 in the collapsed configuration and outside the housing 10 in the flight configuration. The launcher 2 comprises a hollow tube 21 for receiving a UAV 1 in a collapsed configuration and a trigger mechanism 26 for triggering a propulsion mechanism for propelling the UAV 1 out of an end of the hollow tube 21. A system comprising both the UAV 1 and the launcher 2, and a kit of part which, when assembled, provide the UAV 1 are also provided.

The present disclosure relates to a launch system and method. The launch system and method can include at least a preliminary accelerator tube system (PAT) that can be combined with a main accelerator tube system (MAT). The PAT alone or combined with the MAT can be used for launch of a vehicle for testing and/or for delivery of a payload.

The present disclosure relates to a launch system and method. The launch system and method can include at least a preliminary accelerator tube system (PAT) that can be combined with a main accelerator tube system (MAT). The PAT alone or combined with the MAT can be used for launch of a vehicle for testing and/or for delivery of a payload.

An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) launch tube that comprises at least one inner layer of prepreg substrate disposed about a right parallelepiped aperture, at least one outer layer of prepreg substrate disposed about the right parallelepiped aperture, and one or more structural panels disposed between the at least one inner layer of prepreg substrate and the at least one outer layer of prepreg substrate. An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) launch tube that comprises a tethered sabot configured to engage a UAV within a launcher volume defined by an inner wall, the tethered sabot dimensioned to provide a pressure seal at the inner wall and tethered to the inner wall, and wherein the tethered sabot is hollow having an open end oriented toward a high pressure volume and a tether attached within a hollow of the sabot and attached to the inner wall retaining the high pressure volume or attach to the inner base wall. A system comprising a communication node and a launcher comprising an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) in a pre-launch state configured to receive and respond to command inputs from the communication node.

An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) launch tube that comprises at least one inner layer of prepreg substrate disposed about a right parallelepiped aperture, at least one outer layer of prepreg substrate disposed about the right parallelepiped aperture, and one or more structural panels disposed between the at least one inner layer of prepreg substrate and the at least one outer layer of prepreg substrate. An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) launch tube that comprises a tethered sabot configured to engage a UAV within a launcher volume defined by an inner wall, the tethered sabot dimensioned to provide a pressure seal at the inner wall and tethered to the inner wall, and wherein the tethered sabot is hollow having an open end oriented toward a high pressure volume and a tether attached within a hollow of the sabot and attached to the inner wall retaining the high pressure volume or attach to the inner base wall. A system comprising a communication node and a launcher comprising an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) in a pre-launch state configured to receive and respond to command inputs from the communication node.

Embodiments provide a compact vertiport system. The vertiport system may be efficient and compact by combining, into one space and time period, multiple activities that typically take place in different spaces and different times. For example, when an aircraft is being moved from a landing zone to a takeoff zone, the aircraft may also be charged simultaneously. Also, passenger exchange may take place while the aircraft is being moved. As a result, compact vertiport systems may fit into smaller spaces (e.g., tops of buildings, or smaller plots of land).

An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) launch tube that comprises at least one inner layer of prepreg substrate disposed about a right parallelepiped aperture, at least one outer layer of prepreg substrate disposed about the right parallelepiped aperture, and one or more structural panels disposed between the at least one inner layer of prepreg substrate and the at least one outer layer of prepreg substrate. An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) launch tube that comprises a tethered sabot configured to engage a UAV within a launcher volume defined by an inner wall, the tethered sabot dimensioned to provide a pressure seal at the inner wall and tethered to the inner wall, and wherein the tethered sabot is hollow having an open end oriented toward a high pressure volume and a tether attached within a hollow of the sabot and attached to the inner wall retaining the high pressure volume or attach to the inner base wall. A system comprising a communication node and a launcher comprising an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) in a pre-launch state configured to receive and respond to command inputs from the communication node.

An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) launch tube that comprises at least one inner layer of prepreg substrate disposed about a right parallelepiped aperture, at least one outer layer of prepreg substrate disposed about the right parallelepiped aperture, and one or more structural panels disposed between the at least one inner layer of prepreg substrate and the at least one outer layer of prepreg substrate. An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) launch tube that comprises a tethered sabot configured to engage a UAV within a launcher volume defined by an inner wall, the tethered sabot dimensioned to provide a pressure seal at the inner wall and tethered to the inner wall, and wherein the tethered sabot is hollow having an open end oriented toward a high pressure volume and a tether attached within a hollow of the sabot and attached to the inner wall retaining the high pressure volume or attach to the inner base wall. A system comprising a communication node and a launcher comprising an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) in a pre-launch state configured to receive and respond to command inputs from the communication node.

Automated launch and retrieval of a “tail-sitting” VTOL aircraft is accomplished by exploiting the natural stability of hover when restrained in tension by an upwind wing tip. For retrieval, a flexible rod is lifted into contact with the trailing edge of the upwind wing as the aircraft translates downwind overhead. Sliding between the rod and wing leads to interlocking of hooks at the rod end and wing tip, while the aircraft swings into a stable tethered hover downwind of the rod. The rod is then used to pull the aircraft upwind into a fixture for secure parking and servicing. After servicing, the aircraft lifts-off into tethered hover, and power margin for climb is assessed. If the aircraft is judged to have sufficient power safely to proceed, then the interlocking hooks are disengaged, leaving the aircraft to climb away in free flight.

Automated launch and retrieval of a “tail-sitting” VTOL aircraft is accomplished by exploiting the natural stability of hover when restrained in tension by an upwind wing tip. For retrieval, a flexible rod is lifted into contact with the trailing edge of the upwind wing as the aircraft translates downwind overhead. Sliding between the rod and wing leads to interlocking of hooks at the rod end and wing tip, while the aircraft swings into a stable tethered hover downwind of the rod. The rod is then used to pull the aircraft upwind into a fixture for secure parking and servicing. After servicing, the aircraft lifts-off into tethered hover, and power margin for climb is assessed. If the aircraft is judged to have sufficient power safely to proceed, then the interlocking hooks are disengaged, leaving the aircraft to climb away in free flight.