According to one implementation, a rotorcraft includes a first rotorcraft and at least one second rotorcraft. The first rotorcraft has a first main rotor and a first tail rotor. The at least one second rotorcraft has a second main rotor and a second tail rotor. The at least one second rotorcraft are attachable and detachable to and from the first rotorcraft. Further, according to one implementation, a method of controlling the above-mentioned rotorcraft includes: flying the first rotorcraft, to which the at least one second rotorcraft has been attached, to a destination; and separating the at least one second rotorcraft from the first rotorcraft at the destination.

According to one implementation, a rotorcraft includes a first rotorcraft and at least one second rotorcraft. The first rotorcraft has a first main rotor and a first tail rotor. The at least one second rotorcraft has a second main rotor and a second tail rotor. The at least one second rotorcraft are attachable and detachable to and from the first rotorcraft. Further, according to one implementation, a method of controlling the above-mentioned rotorcraft includes: flying the first rotorcraft, to which the at least one second rotorcraft has been attached, to a destination; and separating the at least one second rotorcraft from the first rotorcraft at the destination.

Multi-rotor hydraulic drone (1) comprising: —a plurality of hydraulic motors (6) each receiving a pressurised fluid, —propellers (5) driven by the hydraulic motors (6), —at least one hydraulic pump (10) driven by at least one motor (11) for pressurising the fluid, —a system for supplying the hydraulic motors (6) with pressurised fluid, —a flight controller (14) for controlling the supply system according to the desired rotation speed for the hydraulic motors (6), the supply system comprising several channels (35; 36; 37; 38) for adjusting the power of at least one portion of the hydraulic motors (6).

The present disclosure relates to a maritime communication system based on low earth orbit satellites and an unmanned aerial vehicle. The maritime communication system according to one embodiment may include one or more maritime users, one or more satellites connected to a network operator, and an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) for relaying communication between the maritime users and the satellites.

Systems and techniques are provided for charging devices at a property using battery-charging drones. In some implementations, a monitoring system is configured to monitor a property and includes a battery-powered sensor configured to generate sensor data. The system includes a drone that is configured to navigate the property and charge the battery-powered sensor. A monitor control unit is configured to obtain a battery level from the battery-powered sensor and compare the battery level to a battery level threshold. Based on the comparison, the monitor control unit determines that the battery level does not satisfy the threshold. Based on the determination, the monitor control unit generates and transmits an instruction to a drone for the drone to navigate to the battery-powered sensor and charge a battery of the battery-powered sensor. The monitor control unit receives data from the drone that indicates whether the drone charged the battery of the sensor.

Systems and techniques are provided for charging devices at a property using battery-charging drones. In some implementations, a monitoring system is configured to monitor a property and includes a battery-powered sensor configured to generate sensor data. The system includes a drone that is configured to navigate the property and charge the battery-powered sensor. A monitor control unit is configured to obtain a battery level from the battery-powered sensor and compare the battery level to a battery level threshold. Based on the comparison, the monitor control unit determines that the battery level does not satisfy the threshold. Based on the determination, the monitor control unit generates and transmits an instruction to a drone for the drone to navigate to the battery-powered sensor and charge a battery of the battery-powered sensor. The monitor control unit receives data from the drone that indicates whether the drone charged the battery of the sensor.

A system for fighting fires has a source of fire-retardant material, a delivery hose connected to the source has a delivery nozzle at an end, and an end effector carrying the delivery hose proximate the nozzle. The end effector has controllable thrusters, an imaging device, and control circuitry including a display monitor, the control circuitry providing commands controlling actuators varying thrust and direction of the thrusters, and a valve in the delivery nozzle. With the delivery hose deployed, images from the end effector are transmitted to the control circuitry and displayed on the display monitor, and an operator viewing the images on the display monitor uses the command inputs to maneuver the end effector, carrying the nozzle at the end of the delivery hose to a position proximate an active fire, and opens the valve on the nozzle, delivering fire retardant material from the nozzle onto the fire.

A system for fighting fires has a source of fire-retardant material, a delivery hose connected to the source has a delivery nozzle at an end, and an end effector carrying the delivery hose proximate the nozzle. The end effector has controllable thrusters, an imaging device, and control circuitry including a display monitor, the control circuitry providing commands controlling actuators varying thrust and direction of the thrusters, and a valve in the delivery nozzle. With the delivery hose deployed, images from the end effector are transmitted to the control circuitry and displayed on the display monitor, and an operator viewing the images on the display monitor uses the command inputs to maneuver the end effector, carrying the nozzle at the end of the delivery hose to a position proximate an active fire, and opens the valve on the nozzle, delivering fire retardant material from the nozzle onto the fire.

A manned or unmanned aircraft has a main body with a circular shape and a circular outer periphery. One or more rotor blades extend substantially horizontally outward from the main body at or about the circular outer periphery. In addition, one or more counter-rotation blades extend substantially horizontally outward from said main body at or about the circular outer periphery, but vertically offset from the main rotor blades.

A method for transporting a rescue device from an aerial vehicle to a person to be rescued includes launching an unmanned aerial vehicle from the aerial vehicle having an end portion releasable attached to the unmanned aerial vehicle via a first connection and a second connection. The method further includes enabling the person to be rescued to reach the end portion of the rescue device. and determining whether the end portion of the rescue device is released from the first connection. If the rescue device is released determining at the unmanned aerial vehicle whether the person to be rescued is safely attached to the rescue device. If so, the method comprises either releasing the rescue device from the second connection, or deactivating the unmanned aerial vehicle such that the unmanned aerial vehicle remains attached to the rescue device via the second connection.