The present disclosure provides various embodiments of a multicopter-assisted launch and retrieval system generally including: (1) a multi-rotor modular multicopter attachable to (and detachable from) a fixed-wing aircraft to facilitate launch of the fixed-wing aircraft into wing-borne flight; (2) a storage and launch system usable to store the modular multicopter and to facilitate launch of the fixed-wing aircraft into wing-borne flight; and (3) an anchor system usable (along with the multicopter and a flexible capture member) to retrieve the fixed-wing aircraft from wing-borne flight.

The present disclosure provides various embodiments of a multicopter-assisted launch and retrieval system generally including: (1) a multi-rotor modular multicopter attachable to (and detachable from) a fixed-wing aircraft to facilitate launch of the fixed-wing aircraft into wing-borne flight; (2) a storage and launch system usable to store the modular multicopter and to facilitate launch of the fixed-wing aircraft into wing-borne flight; and (3) an anchor system usable (along with the multicopter and a flexible capture member) to retrieve the fixed-wing aircraft from wing-borne flight.

The present invention discloses an unmanned aerial vehicle including a main body, a plurality of arms, a propulsion assembly and a battery assembly, where each arm is coupled to the main body and the propulsion assembly is disposed on the each arm. The battery assembly is accommodated in a battery compartment of the main body. The battery assembly includes a shell, a battery body substantially disposed in the shell, a clamp button, and a restorable elastic piece. An end of the clamp button is mounted or connects to the shell, and the other end of the clamp button is detachably coupled to the main body. An end of the restorable elastic piece is disposed on the shell or connect to the shell, and the other end of the restorable elastic piece contacts the clamp button.

The present invention discloses an unmanned aerial vehicle including a main body, a plurality of arms, a propulsion assembly and a battery assembly, where each arm is coupled to the main body and the propulsion assembly is disposed on the each arm. The battery assembly is accommodated in a battery compartment of the main body. The battery assembly includes a shell, a battery body substantially disposed in the shell, a clamp button, and a restorable elastic piece. An end of the clamp button is mounted or connects to the shell, and the other end of the clamp button is detachably coupled to the main body. An end of the restorable elastic piece is disposed on the shell or connect to the shell, and the other end of the restorable elastic piece contacts the clamp button.

An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) includes a UAV body including a first mounting member, a gimbal, and a plurality of stands. The gimbal includes a second mounting member connected to the first mounting member, and a gimbal body connected to the second mounting member. The plurality of stands are fixedly attached to the gimbal body and configured to rotate together with the gimbal body around a yaw axis of the gimbal body.

An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) includes a UAV body including a first mounting member, a gimbal, and a plurality of stands. The gimbal includes a second mounting member connected to the first mounting member, and a gimbal body connected to the second mounting member. The plurality of stands are fixedly attached to the gimbal body and configured to rotate together with the gimbal body around a yaw axis of the gimbal body.

An aircraft system with assisted taxi, take-off and climbing, comprising: a main air vehicle capable of performing autonomously the cruising and landing phases of a flight, an auxiliary air vehicle lighter than the main air vehicle and configured to assist the main air vehicle during the taxing and take-off phases of a flight. Main and auxiliary air vehicles are adapted to be detachably connectable, so that the auxiliary air vehicle can assist the main air vehicle when both are attached to each other during taxing, take-off and climbing. The auxiliary air vehicle is an unmanned air vehicle and it is further configured to fly and land when it is detached from the main air vehicle. Aircraft operations cost and aircraft production cost are reduced, by optimizing the design (sizing) and capabilities of some systems of an aircraft.

An aircraft system with assisted taxi, take-off and climbing, comprising: a main air vehicle capable of performing autonomously the cruising and landing phases of a flight, an auxiliary air vehicle lighter than the main air vehicle and configured to assist the main air vehicle during the taxing and take-off phases of a flight. Main and auxiliary air vehicles are adapted to be detachably connectable, so that the auxiliary air vehicle can assist the main air vehicle when both are attached to each other during taxing, take-off and climbing. The auxiliary air vehicle is an unmanned air vehicle and it is further configured to fly and land when it is detached from the main air vehicle. Aircraft operations cost and aircraft production cost are reduced, by optimizing the design (sizing) and capabilities of some systems of an aircraft.

One variation of a tram system includes: a chassis; a latch configured to selectively engage a latch receiver mounted to an aircraft; an alignment feature adjacent the latch and configured to engage an alignment receiver mounted to the aircraft and to communicate acceleration and braking forces from the chassis into the aircraft; an optical sensor facing upwardly from the chassis; a drivetrain configured to accelerate and decelerate the chassis along a runway; and a controller configured to detect an optical fiducial arranged on the aircraft in optical images recorded by the optical sensor adjust a speed of the drivetrain to longitudinally align the alignment feature with the alignment receiver based on positions of the optical fiducial detected in the optical images, trigger the latch to engage the latch receiver once the aircraft has descended onto the chassis, and trigger the drivetrain to actively decelerate the chassis during a landing routine.

One variation of a tram system includes: a chassis; a latch configured to selectively engage a latch receiver mounted to an aircraft; an alignment feature adjacent the latch and configured to engage an alignment receiver mounted to the aircraft and to communicate acceleration and braking forces from the chassis into the aircraft; an optical sensor facing upwardly from the chassis; a drivetrain configured to accelerate and decelerate the chassis along a runway; and a controller configured to detect an optical fiducial arranged on the aircraft in optical images recorded by the optical sensor adjust a speed of the drivetrain to longitudinally align the alignment feature with the alignment receiver based on positions of the optical fiducial detected in the optical images, trigger the latch to engage the latch receiver once the aircraft has descended onto the chassis, and trigger the drivetrain to actively decelerate the chassis during a landing routine.