An unmanned aerial system (UAS) including a sonotube deployable multicopter (SDM) having a plurality of rotors for propulsion, a plurality of extension arms, and a central pivot device. Each extension arm supports at least one of the plurality of rotors. The central pivot device supports the plurality of extension arms radially extending from the central pivot device. Pivotal movement of a first arm-support structure of the central pivot device relative to a second arm-support structure of the central pivot device rotates a first pair of the plurality of extension arms in unison relative to a second pair of the plurality of extension arms. The pivotal movement is biased to rotate the plurality of extension arms from a compact configuration to an expanded configuration while the UAS is airborne. The SDM configured to be held inside a sonoshell in the compact configuration.

A ring release system is configured to releasably couple a parachute to a payload. The ring release system may comprise an upper release ring, an intermediate release ring with a partially and/or completely flattened end, and a lower release ring having a J-shape. When activated, the release rings cascadingly separate to release the parachute from the payload. With these systems and related methods, larger payloads may be supported, the mass and size of the ring release system may be reduced as compared to prior systems, and various failure modes may be eliminated.

A ring release system is configured to releasably couple a parachute to a payload. The ring release system may comprise an upper release ring, an intermediate release ring with a partially and/or completely flattened end, and a lower release ring having a J-shape. When activated, the release rings cascadingly separate to release the parachute from the payload. With these systems and related methods, larger payloads may be supported, the mass and size of the ring release system may be reduced as compared to prior systems, and various failure modes may be eliminated.

An automated quick release mechanism for a three-ring release comprising a pneumatic or hydraulic cylinder with a hardened metal pin engaging a loop of the three ring release. When engaged with the three-ring release, the pin is held in an extended position to engage the loop of the release. Actuation to withdraw the pin disengages the pin from the string loop, allowing the three-ring release to open.

An automated quick release mechanism for a three-ring release comprising a pneumatic or hydraulic cylinder with a hardened metal pin engaging a loop of the three ring release. When engaged with the three-ring release, the pin is held in an extended position to engage the loop of the release. Actuation to withdraw the pin disengages the pin from the string loop, allowing the three-ring release to open.

Ring releases systems and methods to disengage ring systems are disclosed. The ring release systems and the methods to disengage ring systems employ devices that provides for lowering the loads experienced by multi-ring mechanisms and thus mitigate potential hardware damage.

Ring releases systems and methods to disengage ring systems are disclosed. The ring release systems and the methods to disengage ring systems employ devices that provides for lowering the loads experienced by multi-ring mechanisms and thus mitigate potential hardware damage.

A parachute assembly may comprise a canopy and one or more reefing lines. The one or more reefing lines may limit inflation of the canopy to attenuate impulse load or otherwise mitigate forces exerted by the parachute assembly on cargo or an occupant during deployment of the canopy. The one or more reefing lines may be broken in stages to selectively limit inflation of the canopy followed by selectively permitting inflation of the canopy in stages.

An aerial delivery system carrying cargo from an aircraft to ground includes a platform for supporting the cargo; a main parachute for carrying the platform when the platform has exited the aircraft, is airborne, and the main parachute is deployed; a main parachute deployment line to deploy the main parachute, an extraction parachute coupled to the platform and arranged for generating a drag force and exerting the drag force on the platform; and a coupling arrangement switchable between an open configuration where the main parachute deployment line is uncoupled from the extraction parachute and a closed configuration where the main parachute deployment line is coupled to the extraction parachute. When the extraction parachute exerts the drag force on the platform, the coupling arrangement is initially in the open configuration until the coupling arrangement is switched to the closed configuration to couple the main parachute deployment line to the extraction parachute.

An aerial delivery system carrying cargo from an aircraft to ground includes a platform for supporting the cargo; a main parachute for carrying the platform when the platform has exited the aircraft, is airborne, and the main parachute is deployed; a main parachute deployment line to deploy the main parachute, an extraction parachute coupled to the platform and arranged for generating a drag force and exerting the drag force on the platform; and a coupling arrangement switchable between an open configuration where the main parachute deployment line is uncoupled from the extraction parachute and a closed configuration where the main parachute deployment line is coupled to the extraction parachute. When the extraction parachute exerts the drag force on the platform, the coupling arrangement is initially in the open configuration until the coupling arrangement is switched to the closed configuration to couple the main parachute deployment line to the extraction parachute.