The machine, such as an aircraft, is provided with a powertrain which comprises a vaned propulsion system (3), and a thermal drive system (1), including a first thermal engine (1A) and a second thermal engine (1B), which is configured to allow the vaned propulsion system (3) to be driven. The powertrain also includes an electric drive system (2) which allows the vaned propulsion system (3) to be driven, an electrical power supply system (4) including a battery (40) which allows the electric drive system (2) to be supplied with power. A clutch system (10) allows any or each of the thermal engines (1A, 1B) to be engaged in order to drive the vaned propulsion system (3), the clutch system (10) also being configured to allow any or each of the thermal engines (1A, 1B) to be disengaged from the vaned propulsion system (3).

A drone includes a frame and a fuselage. The fuselage is coupled to the frame extending away from the frame. The fuselage has a front panel and a bottom panel, and the front panel is positioned at an angle between the bottom surface of the frame and the bottom panel of the fuselage. A first wing is opposite a second wing and are coupled to the frame. The first and second wings extend outwardly from opposite sides of the frame. A first and second mounting member are coupled to the frame and extend outwardly from opposite sides of the frame. A plurality of power generator systems are included and each system is coupled to the first or second mounting member. Each power generator system comprises a power source coupled to a propeller.

A self-propelled payload (SPP) for an aircraft, such as an unmanned aircraft. The SPP includes an independent propulsion unit which is configured to counter the effect of payloads of the aircraft. This improves operational effectiveness of the aircraft.

Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on computer storage media, for an unmanned aerial system inspection system. One of the methods is performed by a UAV and includes obtaining, from a user device, flight operation information describing an inspection of a vertical structure to be performed, the flight operation information including locations of one or more safe locations for vertical inspection. A location of the UAV is determined to correspond to a first safe location for vertical inspection. A first inspection of the structure is performed is performed at the first safe location, the first inspection including activating cameras. A second safe location is traveled to, and a second inspection of the structure is performed. Information associated with the inspection is provided to the user device.

An agricultural method includes providing a positive air pressure chamber to prevent outside contaminants from entering the chamber; growing crops in a plurality of cells in the chamber, each cell having multi-grow benches or levels, each cell further having connectors to vertical hoists for vertical movements in the chamber; maintaining pre-set temperature, humidity, carbon dioxide, watering and lighting levels to achieve predetermined plant growth; using motorized transport rails to deliver benches for operations including seeding, harvesting, grow media recovery, and bench wash; dispensing seeds in the cell with a mechanical seeder coupled to the transport rails; growing the crops with computer controlled nutrients, light and air level; and harvesting the crops and delivering the harvested crop at a selected outlet of the chamber.

Disclosed is a method of controlling an internal combustion engine (102) of a UAV (100), and also disclosed is a UAV engine system (101), The engine (102) has a fuel delivery means (123) operable to deliver a fuel to a combustion chamber of the engine, and an air flow control means (107) for regulating air flow to the combustion chamber. The method comprises controlling the engine (102) through control of fuelling by way of the fuel delivery means (123) independently of the air flow control means (107), including determining a fuelling requirement for the engine based on a request from a flight control system, and determining an air flow requirement based on or with reference to the fuelling requirement. This provides for fuel-led control of the engine system (101). Specifically, a fuelling requirement for the engine (102) is determined and implemented, and the corresponding air requirement is then determined contingent upon the fuelling requirement.

A method and apparatus for lifting a payload wherein a first mechanical-rotor is driven by an internal combustion engine. A portion of the mechanical work developed by the internal combustion engine is used to generate electrical power, which is either stored in a battery or used to power an electric motor that drives a second rotor. Thrust developed by the mechanical and electrical rotors is directed downward to provide lift for the payload.

A tethered uni-rotor network of multiple tethered satellite vehicles; each having lifting airfoil surfaces, stabilizers, control surfaces, fuselages, and propulsion systems, operating in persistent state of rotation, driven by propulsion units on each satellite vehicle, where airfoils generate lift which supports aerial system. As system rotates, centrifugal forces pull satellite vehicles outwards, which keeps tethers taught. The tethers are attached to inboard portions of each lifting surface, which places their structural members under tension, thereby eliminating an adverse bending moment common to all traditional fixed-wing aircraft. Tethers provide large spatial separation eliminating rotor downwash field interactions, slowing system rotation rate, and permitting an ideal elliptic load distribution across wings. This reduces weight within structural members, uses higher aspect ratio wings to minimize induced drag, and employ thin-thickness high-camber airfoil profiles for superior lift-to-drag ratios, resulting in a more aerodynamically efficient aircraft, requiring less power than fixed-wing without sacrificing hover capability.

A drone includes a frame and a fuselage. The fuselage is coupled to the frame extending away from the frame. The fuselage has a front panel and a bottom panel, and the front panel is positioned at an angle between the bottom surface of the frame and the bottom panel of the fuselage. A first wing is opposite a second wing and are coupled to the frame. The first and second wings extend outwardly from opposite sides of the frame. A first and second mounting member are coupled to the frame and extend outwardly from opposite sides of the frame. A plurality of power generator systems are included and each system is coupled to the first or second mounting member. Each power generator system comprises a power source coupled to a propeller.

A method of transporting cargo, a cargo transport system and an unmanned Wing In Ground Effect vessel (UWIG) for transporting the cargo. A wake up signal indicates assignment of a new delivery. The UWIG begins pre-flight, causes cargo to be transported to the UWIG, and causes the cargo loaded into UWIG storage compartments. Once loaded and the loaded UWIG is ready, the UWIG taxis, e.g., to the open sea. Environmentally sealed PAR thrust fans provide PAR thrust during takeoff. The UWIG flies to a delivery location where cargo is unloaded, and may be stored.