A detachable connecting arrangement for fitting launchable external loads to an aircraft, having a hook-like connecting element fitted to the external load and a holding element fitted to the aircraft for the hook-like connecting element. The hook-like connecting element includes a lower supporting surface and an upper supporting surface. The holding element has a first opposing supporting surface that interacts with the lower supporting surface, and a second, upper opposing supporting surface that interacts with the upper supporting surface. The lower supporting surface and the first opposing supporting surface are designed to support mass forces of the external load directed away from the aircraft, and the upper supporting surface and the upper opposing supporting surface are designed to support mass forces of the external load directed towards the aircraft.

A detachable connecting arrangement for fitting launchable external loads to an aircraft, having a hook-like connecting element fitted to the external load and a holding element fitted to the aircraft for the hook-like connecting element. The hook-like connecting element includes a lower supporting surface and an upper supporting surface. The holding element has a first opposing supporting surface that interacts with the lower supporting surface, and a second, upper opposing supporting surface that interacts with the upper supporting surface. The lower supporting surface and the first opposing supporting surface are designed to support mass forces of the external load directed away from the aircraft, and the upper supporting surface and the upper opposing supporting surface are designed to support mass forces of the external load directed towards the aircraft.

An intelligent container system is provided that accommodates a variety of sizes and shapes of parcels, and that allows the parcels to be dispensed from the container one at a time, in any order. The container system has an open face, such as the bottom. A first panel cooperates with a second panel to selectively close the open bottom, and to selectively open the bottom below a desired parcel, allowing the parcel to be individually dispensed when desired. The container system has a plurality of dividers that can be moved along the length of the container to create a series of compartments that match the sizes of the parcels within the compartments. A position sensing system is used to determine the location of the dividers, and thus the location of the compartments.

This invention relates to a method and apparatus for the airborne dissemination and implantation of seeds utilizing an aerodynamic seed delivery apparatus with built-in nutrients, anti-pest, and anti-fungal properties that can be disseminated rapidly from an airborne platform. The velocity of impact and depth of penetration into specific soil types by the delivery apparatus can be controlled up to a terminal velocity kinetic energy by exploiting a specified drag coefficient, mass, and altitude of release. The seeds are delivered and imbedded into the soil at the optimal depth and orientation to maximize germination rates, since seed orientation has a pronounced effect on germination and sprout mortality rates. Flight paths for Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) utilized for dissemination can be automated to adjust coordinates based on wind vectors, terrain elevation data, and soil permeability data to efficiently achieve a desired penetration depth across a specified geographic area.

This invention relates to a method and apparatus for the airborne dissemination and implantation of seeds utilizing an aerodynamic seed delivery apparatus with built-in nutrients, anti-pest, and anti-fungal properties that can be disseminated rapidly from an airborne platform. The velocity of impact and depth of penetration into specific soil types by the delivery apparatus can be controlled up to a terminal velocity kinetic energy by exploiting a specified drag coefficient, mass, and altitude of release. The seeds are delivered and imbedded into the soil at the optimal depth and orientation to maximize germination rates, since seed orientation has a pronounced effect on germination and sprout mortality rates. Flight paths for Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) utilized for dissemination can be automated to adjust coordinates based on wind vectors, terrain elevation data, and soil permeability data to efficiently achieve a desired penetration depth across a specified geographic area.

A hovering aerial vehicle is provided, comprising an airborne unit and an auxiliary unit. The airborne unit is configured to carry the auxiliary unit during flight and comprises a flight system configured to facilitate providing aerodynamic lift to facilitate hovering of the vehicle. The auxiliary unit comprises an electrical power source in electrical communication with the flight system to provide electrical power for its operation. The hovering aerial vehicle further comprises a decoupling system configured to facilitate selectively switching the vehicle between a detached configuration thereof wherein the airborne and auxiliary units are remote from each other, and an attached configuration thereof wherein the airborne and auxiliary units are secured to one another, and to maintain the electrical communication when the vehicle is in its detached configuration.

The invention relates to an assembly (10) comprising a launch motor vehicle (12) and a drone (14), the launch motor vehicle (12) being capable of travelling on a launch track to exceed a given speed threshold relative to a surrounding air mass, the launch motor vehicle (12) being provided with a launch ramp (20) cooperating with the drone (14) to, in a launching position, guide the drone (14) from a starting position in a launch direction to the front of the launch motor vehicle (12). The drone (14) comprises one or more reactors (30) and does not comprise a landing gear.

The invention relates to an assembly (10) comprising a launch motor vehicle (12) and a drone (14), the launch motor vehicle (12) being capable of travelling on a launch track to exceed a given speed threshold relative to a surrounding air mass, the launch motor vehicle (12) being provided with a launch ramp (20) cooperating with the drone (14) to, in a launching position, guide the drone (14) from a starting position in a launch direction to the front of the launch motor vehicle (12). The drone (14) comprises one or more reactors (30) and does not comprise a landing gear.

A data storage system that moves and transfers components (e.g., the data storage cartridges, data storage magazines, etc.) utilizing drone systems is disclosed. In one embodiment, the system comprises at least one data storage library for storing, reading, and writing of data to or on a plurality of data storage cartridges and at least one drone vehicle. The system also includes a processing device and a non-transitory, computer-readable memory containing programming instructions. The programming instructions are configured to cause the processing device to receive a request to transfer a data storage component to a destination location, in response to receiving the request, instruct a drone vehicle to perform at least part of the transfer of the data storage component to the destination location, and by the drone vehicle, perform at least part of the transfer of the data storage component to the destination location. In accordance with another embodiment, a drone vehicle for transferring data storage components is disclosed. According to yet another embodiment, a method of transferring data storage components within a data storage system utilizing drones is disclosed.

Load control apparatuses, systems and methods to control a location, orientation, or rotation of a suspended load by imparting thrust with thrusters. The load control apparatuses, systems and method comprise an on-board power supply, a remote power supply, and a power control module. The power control module may distribute a pulse power to the thrusters from the on-board power supply and or from a combination of the on-board power supply and the remote power supply, may manage power between the on-board power supply and the remote power supply, and may to recharge the on-board power supply with the remote power supply.