Spring-integrated rotors are disclosed. A disclosed example apparatus includes a bracket defining a first rotational axis and coupled to a motor for rotating the bracket about the first rotational axis, a pivot body defining a second rotational axis extending along a direction different than the first rotational axis, the pivot body coupled to the bracket for rotation about the second rotational axis, and at least one spring device positioned at the bracket, the at least one spring device urging the pivot body toward a central position when the bracket is rotating.

A submersion system for a rotorcraft is described and includes a control module for controlling a depth to which the rotorcraft is submerged in a body of water; a compressed air chamber associated with the control module; and at least one flotation pod including a sealable opening on a top surface thereof and an opening on a bottom surface thereof. The control module selectively causes water to be taken into the at least one flotation pod to cause the submersion system to submerge in the body of water and selectively causes water to be evacuated from the at least one flotation pod to cause the submersion system to float in the body of water.

A submersion system for a rotorcraft is described and includes a control module for controlling a depth to which the rotorcraft is submerged in a body of water; a compressed air chamber associated with the control module; and at least one flotation pod including a sealable opening on a top surface thereof and an opening on a bottom surface thereof. The control module selectively causes water to be taken into the at least one flotation pod to cause the submersion system to submerge in the body of water and selectively causes water to be evacuated from the at least one flotation pod to cause the submersion system to float in the body of water.

An unmanned system maneuver controller (USMC) includes an inertial navigation system (INS) for state estimation of the USMC in three-dimensional (3D) space, a communications device configured to communicate with an unmanned system, and a processor configured to receive, via the communications device, flight, maneuver, or dive data from the unmanned system, and generate flight, maneuver, or dive control instructions based at least on the flight, maneuver, or dive data and data received from the INS. The flight, maneuver, or dive control instructions are configured to pilot the unmanned system based on movement of the USMC in 3D space. A remote may selectively control an operation of the USMC. The USMC may be mounted to a weapon or observation device, such that movement of the weapon or observation device in 3D space controls a movement of the unmanned system. Additional systems and associated methods are also provided.

An aerial vehicle pertinent to the present application has a rotor system that operates in both a vertical-take-off-landing (VTOL) and a cruise mode. There are boom structures which support rotors and the tail. Tiltable rotors are located at the front ends of the booms. The rear rotors are placed under an upward rise in the booms, which allows for reduced in-flight drag and eliminates the need for collapsible rotors when said rotors are not actively operational.

An aerial vehicle pertinent to the present application has a rotor system that operates in both a vertical-take-off-landing (VTOL) and a cruise mode. There are boom structures which support rotors and the tail. Tiltable rotors are located at the front ends of the booms. The rear rotors are placed under an upward rise in the booms, which allows for reduced in-flight drag and eliminates the need for collapsible rotors when said rotors are not actively operational.

Low noise vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) unmanned air vehicle. A vertical take-off and landing unmanned vehicle which generates low levels of noise includes an ion thruster providing a thrust in a vertical direction, and a thrust vectoring system providing thrust in at least one of a forward, aft, left, and right direction, when the unmanned vehicle is in flight

Low noise vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) unmanned air vehicle. A vertical take-off and landing unmanned vehicle which generates low levels of noise includes an ion thruster providing a thrust in a vertical direction, and a thrust vectoring system providing thrust in at least one of a forward, aft, left, and right direction, when the unmanned vehicle is in flight

An aeronautical vehicle that rights itself from an inverted state to an upright state has a self-righting frame assembly has a protrusion extending upwardly from a central vertical axis. The protrusion provides an initial instability to begin a self-righting process when the aeronautical vehicle is inverted on a surface. A propulsion system, such as rotor driven by a motor can be mounted in a central void of the self-righting frame assembly and oriented to provide a lifting force. A power supply is mounted in the central void of the self-righting frame assembly and operationally connected to the at least one rotor for rotatably powering the rotor. An electronics assembly is also mounted in the central void of the self-righting frame for receiving remote control commands and is communicatively interconnected to the power supply for remotely controlling the aeronautical vehicle to take off, to fly, and to land on a surface.

A long-distance drone is disclosed having a canard body style with a main body, a left main wing, a right main wing, a left forewing, and a right forewing. The left forewing is attached to the main body forward of the left main wing, and the right forewing is attached to the main body forward of the right main wing. There is a left linear support connecting the left forewing to the left main wing, and a right linear support connecting the right forewing to the right main wing. A plurality of propellers are disposed on the left and the right linear supports.