A field configurable autonomous vehicle includes modular elements and attachable components. The vehicle can be assembled from these modular elements and components to meet desired mission and performance characteristics without the need to purchase specially designed vehicles for each mission. The vehicle can include a mechanisms that magnetically attach and release payloads such as cargo or ballast from the vehicle.

An unmanned aerial vehicle according to certain embodiments generally includes a chassis, a power supply mounted to the chassis, a control system operable to receive power from the power supply, at least one rotor operable to generate lift under control of the control system, and a winch mounted to the chassis. The winch includes a reel and a motor. The reel has a line wound thereon, the line having a free end. The reel includes a circumferential channel in which a wound portion of the line is wound onto the reel. The circumferential channel includes an inner portion, an outer portion, and a passage connecting the inner portion and the outer portion. The motor is operable to rotate the reel under control of the control system to thereby cause the line to wind onto and off of the reel, thereby causing the free end of the line to raise and lower.

An unmanned aerial vehicle according to certain embodiments generally includes a chassis, a power supply mounted to the chassis, a control system operable to receive power from the power supply, at least one rotor operable to generate lift under control of the control system, and a winch mounted to the chassis. The winch includes a reel and a motor. The reel has a line wound thereon, the line having a free end. The reel includes a circumferential channel in which a wound portion of the line is wound onto the reel. The circumferential channel includes an inner portion, an outer portion, and a passage connecting the inner portion and the outer portion. The motor is operable to rotate the reel under control of the control system to thereby cause the line to wind onto and off of the reel, thereby causing the free end of the line to raise and lower.

A storage and release mechanism for aerial distribution and release of insects from an unmanned aerial vehicle, the release being aimed at controlling a wild insect population, the wild population having fluctuating local densities, the mechanism comprising a switch for switching between two or more different sustainable insect delivery rates for release of the insects. The method is particularly suitable for sterile male mosquitoes in programs to control wild mosquito populations.

A storage and release mechanism for aerial distribution and release of insects from an unmanned aerial vehicle, the release being aimed at controlling a wild insect population, the wild population having fluctuating local densities, the mechanism comprising a switch for switching between two or more different sustainable insect delivery rates for release of the insects. The method is particularly suitable for sterile male mosquitoes in programs to control wild mosquito populations.

A container suspension and release system provides at least one ejector assembly having a carry position and a deployed position. The ejector assembly includes an actuator configured to extend ejector assembly from the carry position to the deployed position, and a retention assembly. The retention assembly employs a bracket attached to the actuator and a fixed sway brace extending from the bracket. A left retention arm is pivotally attached to the bracket and a right retention arm is pivotally attached to the bracket, with the left and right retention arms configured to rotate in opposite directions. A rotation activation mechanism is provided to rotate the left and right retention arms in the deployed position. An energy source connected to the actuator to provides energy to actuate the at least one ejector assembly.

A container suspension and release system provides at least one ejector assembly having a carry position and a deployed position. The ejector assembly includes an actuator configured to extend ejector assembly from the carry position to the deployed position, and a retention assembly. The retention assembly employs a bracket attached to the actuator and a fixed sway brace extending from the bracket. A left retention arm is pivotally attached to the bracket and a right retention arm is pivotally attached to the bracket, with the left and right retention arms configured to rotate in opposite directions. A rotation activation mechanism is provided to rotate the left and right retention arms in the deployed position. An energy source connected to the actuator to provides energy to actuate the at least one ejector assembly.

An unmanned aerial vehicle (“UAV”) system for energy transport includes a UAV having an energy tank configured to transport energy, a processor, and a memory. The memory includes instructions which, when executed by the processor, may cause the system to receive a first location for collecting or releasing the energy, determine an energy level of the energy tank, and transport the energy by the UAV to or from the first location based on the determined energy level.

An unmanned aerial vehicle (“UAV”) system for energy transport includes a UAV having an energy tank configured to transport energy, a processor, and a memory. The memory includes instructions which, when executed by the processor, may cause the system to receive a first location for collecting or releasing the energy, determine an energy level of the energy tank, and transport the energy by the UAV to or from the first location based on the determined energy level.

An aircraft store ejector systems and subsystems thereof. Embodiments can include a two-reservoir re-pressurization system wherein a remote reservoir is used to maintain desired pressure in a local ejector reservoir. The system can include a release valve having a vent valve and valve piston. The release valve can control release of pressurized gas to a pitch control valve. The pitch control valve can be configured to distribute the pressurized gas between two or more ejector piston assemblies. One or more of the ejector piston assemblies can include multiple concentric piston stages and piston chambers, the piston chambers configured to contain a volume of gas. The ejector piston assemblies can be configured to compress the volume of gas within the piston chambers as the piston stages are extended out from the aircraft. Such compression can provide a return force to the piston stages.