A method of targeting, which involves capturing a first video of a scene about a potential targeting coordinate by a first video sensor on a first aircraft; transmitting the first video and associated potential targeting coordinate by the first aircraft; receiving the first video on a first display in communication with a processor, the processor also receiving the potential targeting coordinate; selecting the potential targeting coordinate to be an actual targeting coordinate for a second aircraft in response to viewing the first video on the first display; and guiding a second aircraft toward the actual targeting coordinate; where positive identification of a target corresponding to the actual targeting coordinate is maintained from selection of the actual targeting coordinate.

A terrain-referenced navigation system for an aircraft comprises: a stored digital terrain map; a position calculation unit arranged to calculate aircraft position relative to the stored digital terrain map to determine a terrain-referenced aircraft position; a fall line calculation unit arranged to calculate a fall line for a projectile starting from the terrain-referenced aircraft position as a launch point; and an impact point calculation unit arranged to directly compare the fall line with the digital terrain map, by incrementally comparing a height of the projectile along the fall line with a height of the terrain according to the stored digital terrain map in order to find an expected impact point on the terrain.

A test system is disclosed that has a chassis, a throwing mechanism that is located at an upper part of the chassis onto which at least one weight is attached and which provides throwing the weight attached thereon, a base is located at a lower part of the chassis and onto which a weight is thrown by the throwing mechanism, a control unit for throwing the weight by the throwing mechanism, and at least one pushing member for throwing the weight by pushing which is located on the throwing mechanism and operated by the control unit.

Proposed are a shell launcher for a drone and a method of launching shells for a drone. According to the shell launcher for a drone and the method of launching shells for a drone, by launching shells such as EFPs using a drone, it is possible to use a drone as various weapon systems.

A method, a device, and a system using the device, for avalanche control using an unmanned aerial vehicle to transport an explosive charge to a snow surface or snowpack. A holder of the device holds the explosive charge in a container. A receiver of the device receives a release signal. The holder releases the explosive charge in response to the release signal. A coupler couples the holder to the unmanned aerial vehicle. The explosive charge is fuzed to detonate after release from the holder to trigger an avalanche.

A method, a device, and a system using the device, for avalanche control using an unmanned aerial vehicle to transport an explosive charge to a snow surface or snowpack. A holder of the device holds the explosive charge in a container. A receiver of the device receives a release signal. The holder releases the explosive charge in response to the release signal. A coupler couples the holder to the unmanned aerial vehicle. The explosive charge is fuzed to detonate after release from the holder to trigger an avalanche.

The present invention provides a payload activation device, the device comprising a housing; a cord disposed within the housing and arranged to be coupled at a first end to an activation mechanism within a payload; and a retardation device coupled to the second end of the cord, wherein, in a first configuration, the retardation device is retained within or adjacent to the housing, and, in a second configuration, the retardation device is released from the housing to tauten the cord, and wherein, at a predetermined tension, the cord activates the activation mechanism. The present invention also provides a deployable payload having the payload activation device.

A cargo transporting system for a tailsitter aircraft includes a cargo receptacle rotatably coupled to an underside of a wing and a cargo assembly selectively coupled to the cargo receptacle. By rotating the cargo receptacle, the cargo transporting system can transition between a deployed position and a retracted position. In the deployed position, the cargo receptacle is substantially perpendicular to the wing, and accommodates ground personnel charged with connecting or removing the cargo assembly from the cargo transporting system. In the retracted position, the cargo receptacle is substantially parallel to the wing, and positioned for flight operations.

The present disclosure provides a payload activation device. The payload activation device comprises a camera having a fixed focal length, arranged to capture an image of an object on a platform for carrying a payload having the payload activation device, wherein, when the payload is in a first position relative to the platform, the image of the object is in a first focused state and, when the payload is in a second position relative to the platform, the image of the object is in a second focused state. The payload activation device also comprises a processor configured to determine whether the image of the object is in the first focused state or the second focused state and to cause actuation of an activation mechanism within the payload when the image of object is in the second focused state to activate the payload. The present disclosure also provides a deployable payload having the payload activation device and an aircraft for carrying the deployable payload.

An aircraft configured to drop an object includes a body, a cavity defined in the body and opening on a bottom face of the body, and a gas supply part configured to blow gas from vertically above to a blowing position on the object which is detachably mounted in the cavity. The blowing position is a position on a side closer to a nose of the aircraft with respect to a center of gravity of the object.