In some embodiments, systems, apparatuses and methods are provided to enhance delivery of packages and/or cargo through the use of unmanned delivery aircraft. In some embodiments, a portable unmanned delivery aircraft launch system is provided that comprises: a first portable launch pad system comprising: a package deck; an unmanned delivery aircraft deck secured with the package deck and positioned above and separated by a distance from the package deck; and multiple modular coupling structures fixed with a frame enabling temporary rigid coupling and decoupling between the first launch pad system and multiple additional portable launch pad systems.

System and method for controlling an aerial system to perform a selected operation using an easy-to-use release and auto-positioning process.

A reconfigurable system capable of autonomously exchanging material from unmanned vehicles of various types and sizes. The system comprises an environmental enclosure, a landing area, a universal mechanical system to load and unload material from the unmanned vehicle, and a central processor that manages the aforementioned tasks. The landing area may comprise a one or more visible or non-visible markers/emitters capable of generating composite images to assist in landing the unmanned vehicle upon the reconfigurable, autonomous system.

A base station for an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) is disclosed that includes: an enclosure; a slide mechanism; and a cradle. The slide mechanism is repositionable between a retracted and extended positions and is secured in relation to the enclosure via first and second mounts, which are located between the slide mechanism and the enclosure so as to separate the slide mechanism from the enclosure and thereby reduce vibration of the slide mechanism during repositioning between the retracted and extended positions. The cradle is connected to the slide mechanism and is configured for docking with the UAV such that the UAV is movable into and out of the enclosure during repositioning of the slide mechanism between the retracted and extended positions.

A base station for an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) is disclosed that includes: an enclosure; a slide mechanism; and a cradle. The slide mechanism is repositionable between a retracted and extended positions and is secured in relation to the enclosure via first and second mounts, which are located between the slide mechanism and the enclosure so as to separate the slide mechanism from the enclosure and thereby reduce vibration of the slide mechanism during repositioning between the retracted and extended positions. The cradle is connected to the slide mechanism and is configured for docking with the UAV such that the UAV is movable into and out of the enclosure during repositioning of the slide mechanism between the retracted and extended positions.

The application relates to a fueling station for a fuel generator having a fuel generator reservoir, the fueling station comprising: a station reservoir (11) for storing at least one reactant for fuel generation; a fueling interface (14) configured to engage with the fuel generator reservoir and dispense the at least one reactant to the fuel generator reservoir; and a controller (18) configured to: receive a parameter indicative of an intended use of the fuel generator; and control the fueling interface to dispense the at least one reactant in accordance with the parameter.

An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) system comprises a hangar structure configurable to mount on a host platform. The hangar structure comprises electrical circuits comprising a charging circuit and a communications circuit. The UAV system further comprises a plurality of stackable UAVs. The plurality of stackable UAVs comprise respective batteries and control circuits. The plurality of stackable UAVs are configured to cooperate with the charging circuit to charge the batteries and to cooperate with the communications circuit to communicate with the control circuits while the plurality of stackable UAVs are in a stacked configuration within the hangar structure.

The subject disclosure relates an aerial defense system to defend against a detected threat. The aerial defense system may comprise a plurality of defensive aircraft, an aircraft storage system to house the plurality of defensive aircraft, an aircraft controller in communication with each of a targeting system and the plurality of defensive aircraft, and a human machine interface (HMI) device to provide operator interaction. In operation, one or more of the plurality of defensive aircraft may engage the detected threat. At least one of the plurality of defensive aircraft may include a target neutralization device to strike, or otherwise engage, the detected threat.

An image capturing method for an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) includes determining whether the UAV is in a ground mode in which the UAV is carried by a carrier or a flight mode in which the UAV is released from the carrier, automatically adjusting a state of a camera carried by the UAV to be a first state in response to the UAV being in the ground mode or a second state in response to the UAV being in the flight mode, and controlling the camera to capture an image using the first state in response to the UAV being in the ground mode or the second state in response to the UAV being in the flight mode.

In embodiments, a computer-assisted or autonomous driving (CA/AD) vehicle includes a docking platform to receive one or more unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) of different types to dock with the CA/AD vehicle, each UAV to include at least one sensor directed to a configurable specific use of the CA/AD vehicle, and a UAV interface to communicate with the one or more docked UAVs, including to receive sensor data obtained by the one or more UAVs. In embodiments, the CA/AD vehicle is configured to a specific use, based at least in part on the one or more UAVs docked with the CA/AD vehicle.