A self-righting aeronautical vehicle comprising a hollowed frame and a lift mechanism. The exterior of the frame and center of gravity are adapted to self-right the vehicle. The frame can include sealed, hollowed sections for use in bodies of water. The frame can be spherical in shape enabling inspection of internal surface of partially or fully enclosed structures. Inspection equipment can be integrated into the vehicle and acquired data can be stored or wirelessly communicated to a server. A controlled or other mass can be pivotally assembled to a pivot axle spanning across the interior of the frame. The pivot axis can rotate about a vertical axis (an axis perpendicular to the elongated axis). The propulsion mechanisms can be adapted for use as a terrestrial vehicle when enclosed in a sealed spherical shell.

A vehicle data collection method is disclosed. The method comprises receiving vehicle data, determining that an internet connection is not available, storing the vehicle data, determining that an internet connection has become available, and transmitting the vehicle data based at least in part on the determination that an internet connection has become available.

A robust amphibious air vehicle incorporates a fuselage with buoyant stabilizers and wings extending from the fuselage. At least one lift fan is mounted in the fuselage. Movable propulsion units carried by the wings are rotatable through a range of angles adapted for vertical and horizontal flight operations.

The universal vehicle system is designed with a lifting body which is composed of a plurality of interconnected modules which are configured to form an aerodynamically viable contour of the lifting body which including a front central module, a rear module, and thrust vectoring modules displaceably connected to the front central module and operatively coupled to respective propulsive mechanisms. The thrust vectoring modules are controlled for dynamical displacement relative to the lifting body (in tilting and/or translating fashion) to direct and actuate the propulsive mechanism(s) as needed for safe and stable operation in various modes of operation and transitioning therebetween in air, water and terrain environments.

Various embodiments provide methods for controlling landings of a UAV in a landing zone including a plurality of landing bays. Various embodiments include a method implemented on a computing device for receiving continuous real-time sensor data from a transceiver and from sensors onboard the UAV, and detecting a target landing bay within the plurality of landing bays within the landing zone that is available for landing based on the continuous real-time sensor data. Orientation and position coordinates for landing in the target landing bay may be calculated based on the continuous real-time sensor data. Information regarding positions and flight vectors of a plurality of autonomous UAVs may be obtained, and a flight plan for landing in the target landing bay may be generated based on the orientation and the position coordinates, positions and flight vectors of the plurality of autonomous UAVs and a current orientation and position of the UAV.

An improved unmanned aerial vehicular system having a rotor head assembly with any balanced number of rotary wings or blades, a generally tubular body assembly, a gimballed neck connecting the head to the body, and a navigation, communications and control unit such as for military and humanitarian operations, including payload delivery and pickup. The vehicle is generally guided using a global positioning satellite signal, and by pre-programmed or real time targeting. The vehicle is generally electrically powered and may be launched by one of (a) hand-launch, (b) air-drop, (c) catapult, (d) tube-launch, or (e) sea launch, and is capable of landing on both static and dynamic targets. Once launched, unmanned aerial vehicles may be formed into arrays on a target area and find use in surveillance, warfare, and in search-and-rescue operations.

A falling-resistant and anti-drifting unmanned aerial vehicle has a main body and at least one rotor wing thereon. Both sides of the main body have a wing with an airbag filled with gas lighter than air. Bulges protruding downwards are arranged at the bottoms of the airbag. The two airbags are at the same height symmetrically arranged based on the main body. The airbag can function as an undercarriage when the aircraft lands down, and as a buffer when crash landing and then reduce damage to the main body. If the aircraft falls in water, the aircraft can float on the water to avoid damage caused by sinking. As bulges protruding downwards are arranged at the bottoms of the airbags, in spraying operation, side wing can be relatively well baffled by the bulges in case of side wing blowing in the flying process, resulting in less droplets draft.

An improved unmanned aerial vehicular system having a rotor head assembly with any balanced number of rotary wings or blades, a generally tubular body assembly, a gimballed neck connecting the head to the body, and a navigation, communications and control unit such as for military and humanitarian operations, including payload delivery and pickup. The vehicle is generally guided using a global positioning satellite signal, and by pre-programmed or real time targeting. The vehicle is generally electrically powered and may be launched by one of (a) hand-launch, (b) air-drop, (c) catapult, (d) tube-launch, or (e) sea launch, and is capable of landing on both static and dynamic targets. Once launched, unmanned aerial vehicles may be formed into arrays on a target area and find use in surveillance, warfare, and in search-and-rescue operations.

A self-righting aeronautical vehicle comprising a hollowed frame and a lift mechanism. The exterior of the frame and center of gravity are adapted to self-right the vehicle. The frame can include sealed, hollowed sections for use in bodies of water. The frame can be spherical in shape enabling inspection of internal surface of partially or fully enclosed structures. Inspection equipment can be integrated into the vehicle and acquired data can be stored or wireles sly communicated to a server. A controlled or other mass can be pivotally assembled to a pivot axle spanning across the interior of the frame. The pivot axis can rotate about a vertical axis (an axis perpendicular to the elongated axis). The propulsion mechanisms can be adapted for use as a terrestrial vehicle when enclosed in a sealed spherical shell.

Presented is a small, unmanned aircraft systems (aka drone) configured for amphibious use in water environments. Also presented is a capture device for the capture and recovery of a small, unmanned aircraft system.