A ground maneuver assistance system for aircraft, more particularly for airplanes, the system including a carriage driven on a track by a drive means, the speed of which can be matched to a landing or takeoff speed of the airplane, the carriage including a chassis configured to move on the track; a movable platform configured to support the airplane; and means for connecting the platform to the chassis, which means are configured to establish relative movement between the platform and the chassis, and the platform including coupling means configured to grip and release the airplane.

Various embodiments of space launch vehicle systems and associated methods of manufacture and use are disclosed herein. In some embodiments, the systems include a reusable, horizontal takeoff/horizontal landing (HTHL), ground-assisted single-stage-to-orbit (SSTO) spaceplane that is capable of providing frequent deliveries of people and/or cargo to Low Earth Orbit (LEO). In some embodiments, the spaceplane can takeoff with the aid of a rocket-powered sled that, in addition to providing additional thrust for takeoff, can also provide propellant for the spaceplane engines during the takeoff run so that the spaceplane launches with full propellant tanks.

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.

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.

Provided is a transportation system comprising a hybrid vehicle that is propelled on a highway by a linear induction electric motor comprising a stationary motor element (“stator”) and a moving motor element (“rotor”), where the stator is incorporated into a groove in the highway and the rotor is incorporated into the hybrid vehicle and protrudes into the groove in the highway; and where the hybrid vehicle further comprises at least one wing that elevates the hybrid vehicle when propelled to a take-off speed on the highway. Methods of transportation utilizing this hybrid vehicle transportation system are further provided.

Provided is a transportation system comprising a hybrid vehicle that is propelled on a highway by a linear induction electric motor comprising a stationary motor element (“stator”) and a moving motor element (“rotor”), where the stator is incorporated into a groove in the highway and the rotor is incorporated into the hybrid vehicle and protrudes into the groove in the highway; and where the hybrid vehicle further comprises at least one wing that elevates the hybrid vehicle when propelled to a take-off speed on the highway. Methods of transportation utilizing this hybrid vehicle transportation system are further provided.

Systems and methods include UAVs that serve to assist carrier personnel by reducing the physical demands of the transportation and delivery process. A UAV generally includes a UAV chassis including an upper portion, a plurality of propulsion members configured to provide lift to the UAV chassis, and a parcel carrier configured for being selectively coupled to and removed from the UAV chassis. UAV support mechanisms are utilized to load and unload parcel carriers to the UAV chassis, and the UAV lands on and takes off from the UAV support mechanism to deliver parcels to a serviceable point. The UAV includes computing entities that interface with different systems and computing entities to send and receive various types of information.

A ground maneuver assistance system for aircraft, more particularly for airplanes, the system including a carriage driven on a track by a drive means, the speed of which can be matched to a landing or takeoff speed of the airplane, the carriage including a chassis configured to move on the track; a movable platform configured to support the airplane; and means for connecting the platform to the chassis, which means are configured to establish relative movement between the platform and the chassis, and the platform including coupling means configured to grip and release the airplane.

A ground maneuver assistance system for aircraft, more particularly for airplanes, the system including a carriage driven on a track by a drive means, the speed of which can be matched to a landing or takeoff speed of the airplane, the carriage including a chassis configured to move on the track; a movable platform configured to support the airplane; and means for connecting the platform to the chassis, which means are configured to establish relative movement between the platform and the chassis, and the platform including coupling means configured to grip and release the airplane.

One variation of a tram system includes: a chassis; a latch configured to selectively engage a latch receiver mounted to an aircraft; an alignment feature adjacent the latch and configured to engage an alignment receiver mounted to the aircraft and to communicate acceleration and braking forces from the chassis into the aircraft; an optical sensor facing upwardly from the chassis; a drivetrain configured to accelerate and decelerate the chassis along a runway; and a controller configured to detect an optical fiducial arranged on the aircraft in optical images recorded by the optical sensor adjust a speed of the drivetrain to longitudinally align the alignment feature with the alignment receiver based on positions of the optical fiducial detected in the optical images, trigger the latch to engage the latch receiver once the aircraft has descended onto the chassis, and trigger the drivetrain to actively decelerate the chassis during a landing routine.