An example UAV landing structure includes a landing platform for a UAV, a cavity within the landing platform, and a track that runs along the landing platform and at least a part of the cavity. The UAV may include a winch system that includes a tether that may be coupled to a payload. Furthermore, the cavity may be aligned over a predetermined target location. The cavity may be sized to allow the winch system to pass a tethered payload through the cavity. The track may guide the UAV to a docked position over the cavity as the UAV moves along the landing platform. When the UAV is in the docked position, a payload may be loaded to or unloaded from the UAV through the cavity.

There is provided a method of automatically landing a drone on a landing pad having thereon guiding-elements arranged in a pattern relative to a central region of the landing pad, comprising: receiving first image(s) captured by a camera of the drone, processing the first image(s) to compute a segmentation mask according to an estimate of a location of the landing pad, receiving second image(s) captured by the camera, processing the second image(s) according to the segmentation mask to compute a segmented region and extracting from the segmented region guiding-element(s), determining a vector for each of the extracted guiding-element(s), and aggregating the vectors to compute an estimated location of the central region of the landing pad, and navigating and landing the drone on the landing pad according to the estimated location of the central region of the landing pad.

Thermal image based precision drone landing systems and methods are disclosed herein. An example system can include a landing surface for receiving an unmanned aerial vehicle, a heat-based guidance assembly comprising a plurality of heat emitting units, and a controller that controls operation of the plurality of heat emitting units to create a pattern that is recognized by the unmanned aerial vehicle and guides the unmanned aerial vehicle in landing on the landing surface.

Described herein are apparatuses that provided various features related to unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). An example apparatus may include, among other features, (i) a launch system for a UAV, (ii) a landing feature that is arranged on the apparatus so as to receive the UAV when the UAV returns from a flight, and (iii) a mechanical battery-replacement system that is configured to (a) remove a first battery from the UAV, and (b) after removal of the first battery, install a second battery in the UAV.

A system and a method for mobilized autonomous hydrogen refueling of vertical lift aircraft using a framed landing pad with sensors, an onboard hydrogen storage tank, an onboard refueling arm configured to couple the hydrogen storage tank to the aircraft and an onboard controller configured to control a flow of fuel from the hydrogen storage tank to the aircraft.

An aircraft capable of vertical take-off and landing comprises a fuselage, at least one processor carried by the fuselage and a pair of aerodynamic, lift-generating wings extending from the fuselage. A plurality of vectoring rotors are rotatably carried by the fuselage so as to be rotatable between a substantially vertical configuration relative to the fuselage for vertical take-off and landing and a substantially horizontal configuration relative to the fuselage for horizontal flight. The vectoring rotors are unsupported by the first pair of wings. The wings may be modular and removably connected to the fuselage and configured to be interchangeable with an alternate pair of wings. A cargo container may be secured to the underside of the fuselage, and the cargo container may be modular and interchangeable with an alternate cargo container.

A portable drone port that is portable and disposed on a landing surface for a drone includes a covering section configured to cover the landing surface and provided with markers of different sizes. The covering section includes a restraining section configured to restrain, on the covering section, the drone that lands on the covering section. The restraining section is hook-and-loop fasteners including a hook-and-loop fastener on one side disposed on the covering section and a hook-and-loop fastener on the other side disposed on the drone and configured to join to the hook-and-loop fastener on the one side.

A portable drone port that is portable and disposed on a landing surface for a drone includes a covering section configured to cover the landing surface and provided with markers of different sizes. The covering section includes a restraining section configured to restrain, on the covering section, the drone that lands on the covering section. The restraining section is hook-and-loop fasteners including a hook-and-loop fastener on one side disposed on the covering section and a hook-and-loop fastener on the other side disposed on the drone and configured to join to the hook-and-loop fastener on the one side.

An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) can automatically guide itself to the vicinity of a charging station of an automated landing, charging and takeoff system, which then assists with the close-range laser guidance of the UAV in order for it to dock, without the need for landing gear. The dock has locating valleys that help the booms of the UAV to self-align under the force of gravity. Electrical connections are automatically made for data download and charging. A cover may be closed over the UAV during charging.

The present invention relates to systems and methods for powering and controlling flight of an unmanned aerial vehicle. The unmanned aerial vehicles can be used in a networked system under common control and operation and can be used for a variety of applications. Selected embodiments can operate while tethered to a portable control station. A high speed tether management system can be used to facilitate both mobile and static tethered operation. Modular components provide for both tethered and fully autonomous flight operations.