Methods, Systems, and Apparatus for coordinating drones to communicate with reduced signal to noise, harvest energy, or provide camouflage.

An anti-aircraft system is described and includes an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) comprising a body; a wing connected to the body; and propulsion systems associated with the wing, wherein the propulsion systems comprise pylons releasably connected to opposite ends of the wing such that the propulsion systems may be selectively released from the wing during flight of the UAV.

A winged external guidance frame placed on the muzzle that can couple with a projectile while exiting the barrel utilizing the kinetic energy of the projectile to travel to the target while the accuracy is provided by on board electronics and corrected using the wings. Alternately a reusable unmanned aerial system that travels in the speed and direction of the projectile and couples with the projectile as it exits the barrel.

An aircraft includes an airframe with first and second wings having a fuselage extending therebetween. A propulsion assembly is coupled to the fuselage and includes a counter-rotating coaxial rotor system that is tiltable relative to the fuselage to generate a thrust vector. First and second yaw vanes extend aftwardly from the fuselage. A flight control system is configured to direct the thrust vector of the coaxial rotor system and control movements of the yaw vanes. In a VTOL orientation of the aircraft, differential operation of the yaw vanes and/or differential operations of first and second rotor assemblies of the coaxial rotor system provide yaw authority for the aircraft. In a biplane orientation of the aircraft, collective operation of the yaw vanes provides yaw authority for the aircraft.

Embodiments may provide techniques for operating autonomous systems with improved autonomy so as to operate largely or completely, autonomously. For example, in an embodiment, a self-aware mobile system may comprise a vehicle, vessel, or aircraft comprising: at least one communication device configured to transmit and receive data so as communicate with at least one autonomous sensor platform, and at least one computer system configured to receive data from the at least one autonomous sensor platform and, using the received data, to generate data to implement autonomous movement corresponding to SAE automation level 4 or level 5 using processing in accordance with a Hierarchical Intelligence Model and to generate data to communicate with a human regarding operations of the vehicle, vessel, or aircraft, and at least one autonomous sensor platform comprising: at least one communication device configured to transmit and receive data so as communicate with the vehicle, vessel, or aircraft.

A method for destroying enemy's targets is disclosed which comprises the following steps: (a) carrying a multicopter drone in a backpack of a first soldier; (b) removing the multicopter drone from the backpack, unfolding, and coupling a missile to the multicopter drone; (c) remote controlling the multicopter drone to search for the enemy' targets using a remote control; and (d) launching the missile from the multicopter drone when the enemy' targets are detected.

The present invention provides an unmanned aerial vehicle with non-lethal neuromuscular incapacitation system comprising a body, a plurality of rotary assemblies secured to the body and configured to provide lift, a control system disposed within the body, and a telescoping stinger assembly mounted on the body. The telescoping stinger assembly comprises an elongated projectile having a barb at a first end thereof, a wire having a first end attached to a second end of the elongated projectile, a high voltage pulse power supply attached to a second end of the wire, and firing mechanism for launching the projectile from the telescoping stinger assembly toward a target. A protective cage may be attached to and surround the body of the UAV. The non-lethal incapacitation mechanism may include a plurality of stinging stickers attached to a periphery of the protective cage, a RF power supply and RF transmitter attached to the body of the unmanned aerial vehicle, or a mechanism affixed to the body of the unmanned aerial vehicle for discharging a liquid or powder substance at a target. Alternatively, a rotary sting arm may be affixed to the body by a rotary brush high-voltage connection; and a sting arm motor mounted proximate to a center of the body may be used to impart rotary motion to the rotary sting arm.

A projectile cartridge that can be removably attached to a flying vehicle is disclosed. A system can include a first flying vehicle, a projectile attachment mechanism configured with the first flying vehicle, a projectile cartridge that contains a projectile, the projectile cartridge being removably attachable to the projectile attachment mechanism, a weight attached to the projectile, the weight being configured in a releasable configuration in the projectile cartridge and a drawstring configured with the projectile. After firing the projectile, when tension is applied to the drawstring as the projectile approaches or envelops a second flying vehicle, the tension can cause the drawstring to close the projectile down to secure the second flying vehicle.

A base module may be used to receive and house one or more unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) via one or more cavities. The base module receives commands from a manager device and identifies a flight plan that allows a UAV to execute the received commands. The base module transfers the flight plan to the UAV and frees the UAV. Once the UAV returns, the base module once again receives it. The base module then receives sensor data from the UAV from one or more sensors onboard the UAV, and optionally receives additional information describing its flight and identifying success or failure of the flight plan. The base module transmits the sensor data and optionally the additional information to a storage medium locally or remotely accessible by the manager device.

The present invention relates to the control of weapons, particularly weapons which are controlled via a communications link, possibly at some distance from the weapon's location. The invention is to an apparatus comprising safety-critical and non-safety-critical functional parts wherein at least one of a plurality of safety-critical functional parts is only connected to at least one other of the plurality of safety-critical functional parts.