Methods and apparatus to deploy unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) by kites are disclosed. An example apparatus to deploy a UAV includes a tether line to support the UAV, a tensioner operatively coupled to the tether line, and a kite operatively coupled to the tether line to support the tether line for deployment of the UAV.

Launch and land system for a tethered aircraft (in connection with FIG. 1) The invention provides for a launch and land system (1) for a tethered aircraft (90) comprising a runway (12) for the aircraft and a winch (62) for the tether (92), wherein the runway comprises a funnel-shaped target area (14) with a wide end oriented towards one end of the runway and a narrow end opposite of the wide end, wherein said target area is laterally bordered by restriction devices (80) extending from one end of the target area to the other for preventing the aircraft to roll out of the target area.

Methods and apparatus for reducing energy consumed by drones during flight are disclosed. A drone includes a housing, a motor, receiver circuitry carried by the housing, and a route manager. The receiver circuitry is to receive airborne drone-generated wind data from an airborne drone located in an area within which a segment of a flight of the drone is to occur. The airborne drone-generated wind data is to be determined by an inertial measurement unit of the airborne drone. The route manager is to generate a route for the flight of the drone based on wind data, the wind data including the airborne drone-generated wind data. The route is to be followed by the drone during the flight. The route manager is to select at least one portion of the route to cause the drone to be at least partially propelled by wind to reduce energy consumed by the drone during the flight.

Methods and apparatus for reducing energy consumed by drones during flight are disclosed. A drone includes a housing, a motor, receiver circuitry carried by the housing, and a route manager. The receiver circuitry is to receive airborne drone-generated wind data from an airborne drone located in an area within which a segment of a flight of the drone is to occur. The airborne drone-generated wind data is to be determined by an inertial measurement unit of the airborne drone. The route manager is to generate a route for the flight of the drone based on wind data, the wind data including the airborne drone-generated wind data. The route is to be followed by the drone during the flight. The route manager is to select at least one portion of the route to cause the drone to be at least partially propelled by wind to reduce energy consumed by the drone during the flight.

A launch includes a frame including a platform defining a slot designed to slideably receive a rudder of a fixed-wing unmanned aerial vehicle. The launch includes two drive wheels rotatably supported by the frame and defining a space between each other. The space is open to the slot and designed to receive the rudder. The launch includes at least one variable speed drive wheel motor supported by the frame and operatively engaged with the drive wheels.

A launch includes a frame including a platform defining a slot designed to slideably receive a rudder of a fixed-wing unmanned aerial vehicle. The launch includes two drive wheels rotatably supported by the frame and defining a space between each other. The space is open to the slot and designed to receive the rudder. The launch includes at least one variable speed drive wheel motor supported by the frame and operatively engaged with the drive wheels.

An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) launch tube that comprises at least one inner layer of prepreg substrate disposed about a right parallelepiped aperture, at least one outer layer of prepreg substrate disposed about the right parallelepiped aperture, and one or more structural panels disposed between the at least one inner layer of prepreg substrate and the at least one outer layer of prepreg substrate. An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) launch tube that comprises a tethered sabot configured to engage a UAV within a launcher volume defined by an inner wall, the tethered sabot dimensioned to provide a pressure seal at the inner wall and tethered to the inner wall, and wherein the tethered sabot is hollow having an open end oriented toward a high pressure volume and a tether attached within a hollow of the sabot and attached to the inner wall retaining the high pressure volume or attach to the inner base wall. A system comprising a communication node and a launcher comprising an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) in a pre-launch state configured to receive and respond to command inputs from the communication node.

An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) launch tube that comprises at least one inner layer of prepreg substrate disposed about a right parallelepiped aperture, at least one outer layer of prepreg substrate disposed about the right parallelepiped aperture, and one or more structural panels disposed between the at least one inner layer of prepreg substrate and the at least one outer layer of prepreg substrate. An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) launch tube that comprises a tethered sabot configured to engage a UAV within a launcher volume defined by an inner wall, the tethered sabot dimensioned to provide a pressure seal at the inner wall and tethered to the inner wall, and wherein the tethered sabot is hollow having an open end oriented toward a high pressure volume and a tether attached within a hollow of the sabot and attached to the inner wall retaining the high pressure volume or attach to the inner base wall. A system comprising a communication node and a launcher comprising an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) in a pre-launch state configured to receive and respond to command inputs from the communication node.

An apparatus and method for continuous catapulting of unmanned aerial vehicles are disclosed, and relate to the technical field of aircraft catapulting and recovery. The apparatus consists of an unmanned aerial vehicle storage apparatus, an unmanned aerial vehicle conveying apparatus, an automatic unmanned aerial vehicle loading apparatus, tackles and a rotary tube-type multi-track unmanned aerial vehicle catapult. The present invention can increase catapulting efficiency of the unmanned aerial vehicles, and is suitable for rapidly forming a cluster of the unmanned aerial vehicles.

An apparatus and method for continuous catapulting of unmanned aerial vehicles are disclosed, and relate to the technical field of aircraft catapulting and recovery. The apparatus consists of an unmanned aerial vehicle storage apparatus, an unmanned aerial vehicle conveying apparatus, an automatic unmanned aerial vehicle loading apparatus, tackles and a rotary tube-type multi-track unmanned aerial vehicle catapult. The present invention can increase catapulting efficiency of the unmanned aerial vehicles, and is suitable for rapidly forming a cluster of the unmanned aerial vehicles.