An aircraft launching system and method include a first lifting sub-system including a first tether that removably couples to an aircraft, and a second lifting sub-system including a second tether that couples the first lifting sub-system to the second lifting sub-system.

An aircraft launching system and method include a first lifting sub-system including a first tether that removably couples to an aircraft, and a second lifting sub-system including a second tether that couples the first lifting sub-system to the second lifting sub-system.

A winch/truck and operating method for launching gliders is constructed from a cab and chassis truck which has been modified to utilize truck's power train systems for locomotion of winch machinery. The winch/truck is designed so that truck front faces the launching glider such that truck cab and power controls can be used for operation. The winch/truck can be shifted on the fly from drive mode to winch mode, is completely roadworthy, and can be driven to and from launch site under its own power. The operation method is precisely controlled by using the truck's power control module, GPS, electronic sensing and off the shelf computer technology to display performance parameters and data to the operator.

A winch/truck and operating method for launching gliders is constructed from a cab and chassis truck which has been modified to utilize truck's power train systems for locomotion of winch machinery. The winch/truck is designed so that truck front faces the launching glider such that truck cab and power controls can be used for operation. The winch/truck can be shifted on the fly from drive mode to winch mode, is completely roadworthy, and can be driven to and from launch site under its own power. The operation method is precisely controlled by using the truck's power control module, GPS, electronic sensing and off the shelf computer technology to display performance parameters and data to the operator.

A system for handling an aircraft on a nautical vessel includes a plurality of winches each associated with a corresponding one of a plurality of electromotors and a plurality of cables associated with the plurality of winches. Each of the plurality of cables is configured to attach to an aircraft positioned on a deck of the nautical vessel. A control system is configured to receive a target aircraft hauling speed and direction and operate the winches to achieve the target speed in the selected direction while maintaining load on the aircraft to below a maximum limit and also maintaining the cables in tension.

A system for handling an aircraft on a nautical vessel includes a plurality of winches each associated with a corresponding one of a plurality of electromotors and a plurality of cables associated with the plurality of winches. Each of the plurality of cables is configured to attach to an aircraft positioned on a deck of the nautical vessel. A control system is configured to receive a target aircraft hauling speed and direction and operate the winches to achieve the target speed in the selected direction while maintaining load on the aircraft to below a maximum limit and also maintaining the cables in tension.

The invention relates to a method for landing a tethered aircraft (90), comprising the steps of approaching a ground site with said aircraft, thereby shortening free length of tether (92) between the aircraft and the ground site until said free length of tether reaches a predetermined value, further approaching the ground site with said aircraft, thereby keeping free length of tether fixed at said predetermined value, retaining the tether to form a loop, wherein the loop is tensed and tightened by the moving aircraft, and damping said tightening of said loop in order to decelerate the aircraft until it stands at the ground site. The invention further relates to a launch and land system (1) for a tethered aircraft comprising a runway (12) for the aircraft, a winch (62) for the tether, and a retention system (42,46) for forming a loop of the tether between the winch and the aircraft approaching the runway, wherein said retention system features a damping device (41) for damping a tightening of said loop caused due to movement of the aircraft upon approach and landing in order to decelerate said aircraft.

The invention relates to a method for landing a tethered aircraft (90), comprising the steps of approaching a ground site with said aircraft, thereby shortening free length of tether (92) between the aircraft and the ground site until said free length of tether reaches a predetermined value, further approaching the ground site with said aircraft, thereby keeping free length of tether fixed at said predetermined value, retaining the tether to form a loop, wherein the loop is tensed and tightened by the moving aircraft, and damping said tightening of said loop in order to decelerate the aircraft until it stands at the ground site. The invention further relates to a launch and land system (1) for a tethered aircraft comprising a runway (12) for the aircraft, a winch (62) for the tether, and a retention system (42,46) for forming a loop of the tether between the winch and the aircraft approaching the runway, wherein said retention system features a damping device (41) for damping a tightening of said loop caused due to movement of the aircraft upon approach and landing in order to decelerate said aircraft.

An energy-efficient launch system that utilizes the principles of whip dynamics to launch payloads at high speeds is described. The launch system may include a marine vehicle having an onboard power source. A tapered, superconducting cable may be retractably connected to the marine vehicle via a winch and electrically connected to the power source. One or more aerial vehicles may be coupled to and receive power via the cable. To launch a payload at the end of the cable, the marine vehicle, winch, and/or aerial vehicles may be operated in coordination to create, propagate, and accelerate a whip waveform along the cable toward the payload.

An energy-efficient launch system that utilizes the principles of whip dynamics to launch payloads at high speeds is described. The launch system may include a marine vehicle having an onboard power source. A tapered, superconducting cable may be retractably connected to the marine vehicle via a winch and electrically connected to the power source. One or more aerial vehicles may be coupled to and receive power via the cable. To launch a payload at the end of the cable, the marine vehicle, winch, and/or aerial vehicles may be operated in coordination to create, propagate, and accelerate a whip waveform along the cable toward the payload.