The use of shielded material in a deployable vehicle arresting and containment device that, when used for the interception of an unmanned vehicle, effectively achieves RF isolation of that vehicle, breaking all external communications with that vehicle. This apparatus, which may have internal and external antennas, could enable a variety of advanced effects such as localized GPS and command and control link spoofing and jamming as well as providing a vehicle for signal intercept and intelligence solutions. Additionally, due to the shielding properties of the arresting and containment device, semi-destructive means such as localized EMPs could be used to damage the encapsulated unmanned vehicle electronics.

Various embodiments of the present disclosure provide a parasail-assisted system for launching a fixed-wing aircraft into free flight and for retrieving a fixed-wing aircraft from free flight.

An aerial vehicle barrier comprises two or more balloons selectively inflatable with a lighter-than-air gas, two or more flexible trunk lines, two or more flexible branch lines, and two or more connecting lines. Each trunk line has a ground-anchorable end and an opposite end attached or selectively attachable to a respective one of the balloons. Each branch line has opposing ends attached or selectively attachable to respective ones of two adjacent trunk lines to span between the two adjacent trunk lines. Each connecting line has opposing ends attached to respective ones of two adjacent branch lines.

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.

Launch and/or recovery for unmanned aircraft and/or other payloads, including via parachute-assist, and associated systems and methods are disclosed. An example system includes a rocket, a carriage, a guide element, and a launch guide. The carriage is coupled to the rocket and is configured to releasably support an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). The guide element is coupled to the rocket. The launch guide is configured to be engaged by the guide element during a launch of the rocket while the carriage is supporting the UAV. The guide element is configured to move along the launch guide during the launch.

Various embodiments of the present disclosure provide a rotorcraft-assisted system and method for launching and retrieving a fixed-wing aircraft into and from free flight. The launch and retrieval system includes a modular multicopter, a storage and launch system, an anchor system, a flexible capture member, and an aircraft-landing structure. The multicopter is attachable to the fixed-wing aircraft to facilitate launching the fixed-wing aircraft into free, wing-borne flight. The storage and launch system is usable to store the multicopter (when disassembled) and to act as a launch mount for the fixed-wing aircraft by retaining the fixed-wing aircraft in a desired launch orientation. The anchor system is usable with the multicopter, the flexible capture member, and the aircraft-landing structure to retrieve the fixed-wing aircraft from free, wing-borne flight.

A small unmanned air vehicle repulsing apparatus includes a capturing body adapted to capture a drone, a target to be captured; and a capturing body launching apparatus adapted to launch the capturing body at the drone, in which the capturing body launching apparatus can quickly capture the drone by launching the capturing body even if the suspicious drone flies into an area to be protected so as to protect the interest and safety of law-abiding people.

The present invention is a device, system(s) and/or method(s) for disrupting, capturing, and/or disabling and unmanned aerial vehicle(s) in flight, on the ground, or preparing for flight that may or may not be under the control of the invention operator. In certain embodiments, the invention is supported and carried by an unmanned aerial vehicle that is controlled by a ground operator, a computer process and associate hardware, or any combination thereof. In other embodiments, the invention contains physical destruction devices such as projectiles, explosives, spikes, electric shock generators, etc. The invention is manipulated to track, intercept, capture, disrupt, disable and/or move a target unmanned aerial vehicle. In certain embodiments, the invention includes materials able to contain, at least in part, hazardous materials and/or conditions caused by the target unmanned aerial vehicle. In certain embodiments, the invention interfaces with external unmanned aerial vehicle detection/tracking systems. A unique design element in certain embodiments is the ability to limit the potential of the captured aerial vehicle escaping the device and/or falling to the ground. Another unique design element in certain embodiments is the ability of the invention to limit collateral damage caused by the captured unmanned aerial vehicle or apparatuses contained thereon. Another unique design element is the ability of the invention to interface with external unmanned aerial vehicle detection/tracking systems.

An apparatus for use as part of, or attached to, an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) to intercept and entangle a threat unmanned aerial vehicle, includes a flight and payload control system for controlling power to the UAV and for controlling maneuvering of the UAV. A host-side mount may be coupled to the UAV and is in communication with the flight and payload control system. A payload-side mount is removably attached to the host-side mount and includes a power interface and a control interface between the payload-side mount and the host-side mount. A counter-UAV system is coupled to the payload-side mount and includes a deployable chute net having a cross-sectional area sized for intercepting and entangling the threat unmanned aerial vehicle; and a deployment mechanism for mounting to the unmanned aerial vehicle.

A method of capturing an aerial vehicle comprises rotating a first blade of the aerial vehicle, the first blade coupled to a hub of the aerial vehicle and having a contour configured to facilitate entanglement of a payload line of a winch system around the aerial vehicle. The method further comprises contacting, by a leading edge of the first blade, the payload line of the winch system and pulling the payload line towards the hub of the aerial vehicle, wherein the payload line is pulled towards the hub as the first blade continues to rotate and wherein continued rotation of the first blade causes the payload line to be tangled around the hub of the aerial vehicle.