The invention relates to a ramp of a catapult and to a catapult. The catapult comprises a carriage (4) for fastening an aircraft (5). The carriage (4) is supported on a ramp (1). The ramp is formed of one or more ramp elements (1a-1m). The ramp element comprises four frame plates, namely two parallel side plates (20a, 20b), a top plate (21) and a bottom plate (22). The frame plates are separate pieces which are connected at fastening points (25) to each other by means of mechanical fastening elements (26).

The invention relates to a launching cylinder of a catapult and to a catapult. The launching cylinder comprises a frame inside which are a pneumatic pressure space for launching purpose and a hydraulic pressure space for returning purpose. The pressure spaces are separated from each other by means of a piston assembly.

Embodiments of the present invention provide improvements to UAV launching systems. The disclosed launching system eliminates the use of hydraulic fluid and compressed nitrogen or air by providing an electric motor-driven tape that causes movement of a shuttle along a launcher rail.

The present invention provides a foldable wing which comprises a wing supporting skeleton, a sliding rail, a skin supporting rib, a skin and a wing movement unit. The wing supporting skeleton comprises a horizontal beam, a longitudinal beam, a wing front edge beam, a wing trailing edge beam, a fixture connector and a sliding block, The wing supporting skeleton is a triangular girder for maintaining planar and sectional shapes of the foldable wing, supporting the skin supporting rib and the skin, and sustaining an aerodynamic load from the skin and a load of a fuselage. After the triangular girder is subjected to a force of the wing movement unit, a shape and an area of the triangular girder are changed so as to achieve folding and unfolding of the foldable wing. A rotocraft and a glider using the foldable wing are also provided.

A material handling robot including a mobile base, a plurality of drones, and a plurality of docking stations on the mobile base for receiving the drones. The mobile base has motorized wheels for driving the mobile base, and a platform for supporting a load. Each drone has a power source and a drone sensor for monitoring environment around the drone. Each docking station has a power charger for recharging the power source, and a launch mechanism for deploying the drone. The robot also includes a controller for communicating with the mobile base and the drones. The controller has: a material handling mode for transporting loads on the platform of the mobile base; and a security mode where at least one of the drones is deployed to conduct surveillance using the drone sensor.

Vertical takeoff and landing vehicles (VTOLs) of the type used for the point-to-point delivery and transport of payloads (e.g., packages, equipment, etc.) and personnel, are significantly stabilized at least during takeoff and landing with present aspects significantly ameliorating or significantly eliminating destabilizing effects, including ground effect, during VTOL takeoff and/or landing.

Described herein is an elevated unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) station. The elevated UAV station includes an elevated platform and a conveyance device configured to raise a payload to the elevated platform. The elevated unmanned UAV station may further include a launch device configured to cause a takeoff of a UAV from the elevated platform. The elevated UAV station may further include a recovery device configured to cause a controlled landing of the UAV at the elevated platform. The elevated UAV station may be associated with a payload housing structure to establish a system for payload storage and launch.

Equipment and methods that combine the use of wave powered vehicles and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs or drones). A UAV can be launched from a wave-powered vehicle, observe another vessel, and report the results of its observation to the wave-powered vehicle, and the wave-powered vehicle can report the results of the observation to a remote location. The UAV can land on water and can then be recovered by the wave-powered vehicle.

The invention relates to an assembly (10) comprising a launch motor vehicle (12) and a drone (14), the launch motor vehicle (12) being capable of travelling on a launch track to exceed a given speed threshold relative to a surrounding air mass, the launch motor vehicle (12) being provided with a launch ramp (20) cooperating with the drone (14) to, in a launching position, guide the drone (14) from a starting position in a launch direction to the front of the launch motor vehicle (12). The drone (14) comprises one or more reactors (30) and does not comprise a landing gear.

An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) launching assembly for monitored and stable launching of UAVs is provided. The assembly includes a container having an open upper end and a bottom end separated by a distance, wherein the container is adapted to accept therein at least one UAV; and at least one fixture extending from the bottom end of the container towards the open upper end of the container, wherein the at least one fixture extends to at least a height equal to the distance separating the bottom end of the container from the open upper end of the container, wherein the at least one fixture is adapted to be accepted by at least one corresponding element of the at least one UAV, and wherein the at least one fixture is adapted to allow vertical motion of the at least one UAV within the container.