A capture system (1) includes a drone (4) with a capture device (3) having a net (5) and a shank (6) configured to form a closed line. The shank (6) defines a leading face (6A) and a trailing face (6B). The net (5) has a maximum diameter that is greater than a maximum diameter of the shank (6), and is attached to the shank (6) on the side (7) of the trailing face (6B). A strip (8) attaches completely around the shank (6) outside of the net (5) on the side (7) of the trailing face (6B). Holding wires (9) attach to the shank (6) on the side (10) of the leading face (6A) for towing by the drone (4). The assembly formed by the shank (6) and the strip (8) enabling the capture device (3) to be held in an optimum position for capturing a flying craft (2).

Methods and apparatus for pointing logic in aircraft are disclosed. A disclosed example apparatus to aim an aiming device carried by an aircraft includes at least one memory, machine readable instructions, and processor circuitry. The processor is to at least one of instantiate or execute the machine readable instructions to determine a position of a target, determine an orientation of the aircraft, determine aiming points based on the orientation and a movement range of the aiming device, and determine a movement of at least one of the aircraft or the aiming device based on the aiming points and the position to orient the aiming device toward the target.

The present disclosure addresses the problem of UAVs pursuing a swarm of target UAVs. The target UAVs are flying together as a flock that are initially modeled as a circle having a time-varying radius or an arbitrarily-shaped swarm that may change in size. Guidance of the pursuing UAVs is developed based on a collision cone framework, wherein the pursuing UAVs cooperatively steer the velocity vector of any point in their convex hull, to intercept the target. Also, the problem of capturing a swarm of intruder UAVs using a net manipulated by a team of defense UAVs is disclosed. The intruder UAV swarm may be stationary, in motion, and even maneuver. Collision cones in 3-dimensional space are used to determine the strategy used by the net carrying UAVs to maneuver or manipulate the net in space in order to capture the intruders.

According to one aspect, an aerostat may include an inflatable structure defining a volume, and a payload mechanically coupled to the inflatable structure, the payload including a sensor, an acquisition module, and a controller, the acquisition module operable to generate acquisition energy directable in midair from the payload to an aerial platform flying independently, the controller in electrical communication with the acquisition module and the sensor, the controller configured, based on a signal received from the sensor and associated with flight of the inflatable structure, to operate the acquisition module to direct the acquisition energy to the aerial platform such that independent flight of the aerial platform interruptible by the acquisition energy.

Methods and apparatus for pointing logic in aircraft are disclosed. A disclosed example apparatus to aim an aiming device carried by an aircraft includes at least one memory, machine readable instructions, and processor circuitry. The processor is to at least one of instantiate or execute the machine readable instructions to determine a position of a target, determine an orientation of the aircraft, determine aiming points based on the orientation and a movement range of the aiming device, and determine a movement of at least one of the aircraft or the aiming device based on the aiming points and the position to orient the aiming device toward the target.