A take-off apparatus and method for unmanned aerial vehicle without landing gear includes an unmanned aerial vehicle, a carrier, a lock/release mechanism, a lift or airspeed sensing module, a signal processing module and a release motion sensing module. The lock/release mechanism locks the unmanned aerial vehicle onto the carrier and controllably releases the unmanned aerial vehicle from the carrier. The lift or airspeed sensing module senses an overall lift or airspeed of the unmanned aerial vehicle. When the lift or speed value of the unmanned aerial vehicle is greater than a predetermined threshold, it drives the lock/release mechanism into an unlocked state so that the unmanned aerial vehicle is released from the carrier and takes off more accurately and successfully.

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 system for releasing an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV), including: a capsule including: a UAV including a controller; and a release actuator configured to release the UAV from the capsule; wherein the capsule is configured to be at least one of launched and deployed; the system further includes: at least one sensor; a release condition evaluation module, connected with the at least one sensor; and a release command module, connected with the release condition evaluation module, and configured to activate the release actuator upon at least one release condition being met; wherein the process of deploying the capsule and/or launching the capsule is a separate process from the process of releasing the UAV from the capsule.

Provided is a system for releasing an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV), including: a capsule including: a UAV including a controller; and a release actuator configured to release the UAV from the capsule; wherein the capsule is configured to be at least one of launched and deployed; the system further includes: at least one sensor; a release condition evaluation module, connected with the at least one sensor; and a release command module, connected with the release condition evaluation module, and configured to activate the release actuator upon at least one release condition being met; wherein the process of deploying the capsule and/or launching the capsule is a separate process from the process of releasing the UAV from the capsule.

Provided is a transportation system comprising (a) a ground-based powered tug vehicle, (b) an airborne vehicle, and (c) a towline with end links connecting the ground-based vehicle and the airborne vehicle. Also provided are methods of transportation utilizing the transportation system. Additionally 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) a ground-based powered tug vehicle, (b) an airborne vehicle, and (c) a towline with end links connecting the ground-based vehicle and the airborne vehicle. Also provided are methods of transportation utilizing the transportation system. Additionally 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.

An aircraft system with assisted taxi, take-off and climbing, comprising: a main air vehicle capable of performing autonomously the cruising and landing phases of a flight, an auxiliary air vehicle lighter than the main air vehicle and configured to assist the main air vehicle during the taxing and take-off phases of a flight. Main and auxiliary air vehicles are adapted to be detachably connectable, so that the auxiliary air vehicle can assist the main air vehicle when both are attached to each other during taxing, take-off and climbing. The auxiliary air vehicle is an unmanned air vehicle and it is further configured to fly and land when it is detached from the main air vehicle. Aircraft operations cost and aircraft production cost are reduced, by optimizing the design (sizing) and capabilities of some systems of an aircraft.

An aircraft system with assisted taxi, take-off and climbing, comprising: a main air vehicle capable of performing autonomously the cruising and landing phases of a flight, an auxiliary air vehicle lighter than the main air vehicle and configured to assist the main air vehicle during the taxing and take-off phases of a flight. Main and auxiliary air vehicles are adapted to be detachably connectable, so that the auxiliary air vehicle can assist the main air vehicle when both are attached to each other during taxing, take-off and climbing. The auxiliary air vehicle is an unmanned air vehicle and it is further configured to fly and land when it is detached from the main air vehicle. Aircraft operations cost and aircraft production cost are reduced, by optimizing the design (sizing) and capabilities of some systems of an aircraft.

Launch and/or recovery for unmanned aircraft and/or other payloads, including via parachute-assist, and associated systems and methods are disclosed. A representative method for lofting a payload includes directing a lifting device upward, releasing a parachute from the lifting device, with the parachute carrying a pulley and having a flexible line passing around the pulley. The flexible line is connected between a tension device (e.g., a winch) and the payload. The method further includes activating the tension device to reel in the flexible line and accelerate the payload upwardly.