A projectile-launched aircraft system includes a projectile launcher including a triggering mechanism, a rotary-wing, hover-capable aircraft including a rotor assembly that includes at least one rotor blade, wherein the rotor blade includes a stowed configuration and a deployed configuration that is circumferentially spaced from the stowed configuration about a pivot axis, wherein, upon actuation of the triggering mechanism, the projectile launcher is configured to launch the aircraft along a flightpath.

In various embodiments, specialized vehicle launch systems and methods are provided to enable personnel to launch and operate one or more UAVs from the safety of a vehicle or other mobile location. In various embodiments, a launch system comprises a launch device and an operator terminal. The launch device is adapted to be mounted on an exterior surface of a vehicle and is communicably coupled to the operator terminal, which is operable from the interior of the vehicle. The vehicle launch system allows an operator to control one or more UAVs from inside the vehicle, without requiring the operator to step outside of the vehicle to interact with the UAV or launch device.

The present technology is directed to a remotely controlled aircraft that can be transported without the risk of damaging certain components, such as the arms and/or propellers. In one non-limiting example, the remotely controlled aircraft technology described herein provides a housing that allows the arms of the remotely controlled aircraft to extend and/or retract through openings in the housing. When retracted, the arms and propellers are protected within an area of the structure of the housing, and when extended, the arms and propellers are operable to make the remotely controlled aircraft fly.

A diversity receiver synchronizes and mixes multiple input signals. In one embodiment, the receiver demodulates the multiple input signals prior to synchronizing, converts the demodulated multiple input signals from analog signals to digital signals, synchronizes the demodulated digital signals, converts the synchronized demodulated digital signals to analog signals and mixes the synchronized demodulated analog signals based on a characteristic of the input signals existing prior to the demodulating.

The disclosed inventions include personal Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV's) and UAV universal docking ports docking ports to be incorporated into and/or attached to headwear, including helmets, hard hats and hats and face masks, as well as footwear including boots and shoes, clothing and outerwear, devices, gear and equipment, land, air, water and space vehicles, buildings, wireless towers and other mobile or stationary objects and surfaces referred to collectively as docking stations. A docking station may have one or more docking ports for docking, networking and charging or refueling compact personal UAVs, and for providing data communications between said UAVs and other electronic devices that remain with the person while the UAV is in flight or driving or landed on terrain. Said docking ports may also incorporate wireless power transmission for remote wireless charging of one or more UAV's. Supplemental power for recharging said UAVs when docked may be supplied by integrated battery(s) in said docking port or me be provided directly from the docking station or other connected power source.

A cycloidal rotor air vehicle includes an airframe, a first cycloidal rotor assembly supported by the airframe and configured to rotate about a first axis of rotation relative to the airframe, the first cycloidal rotor assembly including a blade having a longitudinal axis oriented parallel to the first axis of rotation, a first motor configured to rotate the first cycloidal rotor assembly about the first axis of rotation, a first servo coupled to the blade of the first cycloidal rotor assembly and configured to adjust the pitch of the blade, and a control system supported on the airframe and configured to control the operation of the first motor and the first servo.

Improvements in secure communication using drones. The communication uses aircraft to provide a secure communication link that prevents undesirable reception. The secure link can be between two people, groups or more specific people. Optical transmission can be from laser, infrared, ultraviolet, white light or a particular wavelength of light. One or multiple aircraft to relay information between senders and receivers. The aircraft can be drones that operate within buildings or with overhead aircraft. The aircraft can intelligently follow or lead a person to maintain a line of sight. Each user can have their own tracking aircraft and the aircraft can communicate with each other using light and/or wireless communication to optimize line-of-sight between the aircraft over geographic medium. The geographic medium may include one or more terrain, air, water, and space. The object may be a soldier, vehicle, drone, or ballistic.

A mobile base is provided that travels through delivery areas and utilizes associated transportation units (e.g., automated aerial vehicles) for delivering items from the mobile base to delivery locations. The transportation units may be carried on the mobile base, and may travel back and forth to the mobile base when making deliveries. The mobile base may include an extraction point (e.g., an opening in the roof of the mobile base) where items may be engaged by transportation units for delivery.

Flying machines may be docked during charging or other processes. A tray having multiple docking areas is configured to accommodate flying machines for transport and docking. The docking areas may, but need not, include passageways which may accommodate charging stations. For example, a storage enclosure may be configured to house one or more trays, configured to interface to corresponding charging surfaces. Protective layers and vibration dampening features may be used to soften impacts during storage and transport. A charging station may include electrical terminals, recesses, and locating features for docking a flying machine.

The present invention extends to methods, systems, and computer program products for using Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) to inspect autonomous vehicles. An autonomous vehicle carries a UAV (or drone) in a protected area, for example, in a glove compartment, trunk, etc. Between rides, the UAV can be deployed to inspect the autonomous vehicle. Images from the UAV can be sent to other components for image analysis. When an inspection is completed, the UAV can return to the protected area. The UAV can inspect both the interior and exterior of an autonomous vehicle. When an inspection is passed, the autonomous vehicle can begin a new ride. When an inspection is failed, the autonomous vehicle can report for repairs or summon a tow vehicle.