A UAV landing platform having movable covers to securely store/maintain/charge a UAV. The UAV may be launched from the landing platform, and the landing platform can have visual indicators to guide the landing of the UAV back onto the landing platform. There can be an optional mechanism to self-adjust/self-level the landing surface such that a UAV can safely land onto the landing platform even when the landing platform is on a traveling vehicle.

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.

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.

A control circuit dispatches towards a delivery zone a terrestrial vehicle that carries at least one airborne drone and at least one item to be delivered to a customer. When the terrestrial vehicle is in the delivery zone, the drone is dispatched to carry the item to the customer. By one approach the drone exits the terrestrial vehicle without bearing the item. The item can be automatically moved from within the terrestrial vehicle to a position such that the item is at least partially exposed external to the terrestrial vehicle. The airborne drone, subsequent to exiting the terrestrial vehicle, can engage the item in order to then deliver that item to the customer. By one approach the terrestrial vehicle includes one or more platforms that support one or more airborne drones and that can be moved from within the terrestrial vehicle to a deployed position external to the terrestrial vehicle.

A base station may include a base body, a landing pad, and a base station opening and closing structure. The base station opening and closing structure may include an open state and a closed state. In the open state, the base station opening and closing structure may provide a landing space for an aerial vehicle to land on the landing pad, and in the closed state, the base station opening and closing structure may provide an accommodating space to accommodate the aerial vehicle. During a process of the base station opening and closing structure transitioning from the open state to the closed state, the base station opening and closing structure may be configured to propel some blades of the aerial vehicle partially protruding out of the accommodating space to fold or retract so as to accommodate the aerial vehicle within the accommodating space.

A base station may include a base body, a landing pad, and a base station opening and closing structure. The base station opening and closing structure may include an open state and a closed state. In the open state, the base station opening and closing structure may provide a landing space for an aerial vehicle to land on the landing pad, and in the closed state, the base station opening and closing structure may provide an accommodating space to accommodate the aerial vehicle. During a process of the base station opening and closing structure transitioning from the open state to the closed state, the base station opening and closing structure may be configured to propel some blades of the aerial vehicle partially protruding out of the accommodating space to fold or retract so as to accommodate the aerial vehicle within the accommodating space.

A takeoff and landing platform, a UAV, a takeoff and landing system, a storage device and a takeoff and landing control method are provided. The takeoff and landing platform includes: a bracket, one end of the bracket is fixed on a base, and another end thereof extends in a direction away from the base, and the bracket is provided with a vertical guide rail. Multiple UAVs may be vertically stacked on the bracket along the guide rail and take off from the bracket. Hence, the manpower investment and site investment are reduced for multiple UAVs to perform collaborative operations. It can not only reduce the cost of multiple UAV collaborative operations, but also improve the efficiency of multiple UAV collaborative operations.

A takeoff and landing platform, a UAV, a takeoff and landing system, a storage device and a takeoff and landing control method are provided. The takeoff and landing platform includes: a bracket, one end of the bracket is fixed on a base, and another end thereof extends in a direction away from the base, and the bracket is provided with a vertical guide rail. Multiple UAVs may be vertically stacked on the bracket along the guide rail and take off from the bracket. Hence, the manpower investment and site investment are reduced for multiple UAVs to perform collaborative operations. It can not only reduce the cost of multiple UAV collaborative operations, but also improve the efficiency of multiple UAV collaborative operations.

A drone station according to an embodiment of the present disclosure comprises: a roof allowing a drone to land thereon; a side wall formed to be erected around all sides of the roof from the lower side of the roof; a nozzle which is formed at an edge at which the roof and the side wall meet each other, and sprays an air current upward; a grill formed on the side wall to allow external air to be introduced thereinto; a guide panel disposed inside the grill to guide fluid flow so that fluid flows from the grill to the nozzle; and a rotor disposed inside the guide panel to move fluid from the grill side to the nozzle side through a rotating operation.

A drone station according to an embodiment of the present disclosure comprises: a roof allowing a drone to land thereon; a side wall formed to be erected around all sides of the roof from the lower side of the roof; a nozzle which is formed at an edge at which the roof and the side wall meet each other, and sprays an air current upward; a grill formed on the side wall to allow external air to be introduced thereinto; a guide panel disposed inside the grill to guide fluid flow so that fluid flows from the grill to the nozzle; and a rotor disposed inside the guide panel to move fluid from the grill side to the nozzle side through a rotating operation.