The embodiments is an unmanned aerial vehicle. The unmanned aerial vehicle includes: an airframe; and a fixed-wing assembly and a rotor assembly, both replaceably connected to the airframe. The fixed-wing assembly is connected to the airframe to form a vertical take-off and landing fixed-wing unmanned aerial vehicle and the rotor assembly is connected to the airframe to form a multi-rotor unmanned aerial vehicle, thereby implementing an unmanned aerial vehicle that can switch between the vertical take-off and landing fixed-wing unmanned aerial vehicle and the multi-rotor unmanned aerial vehicle.

The embodiments is an unmanned aerial vehicle. The unmanned aerial vehicle includes: an airframe; and a fixed-wing assembly and a rotor assembly, both replaceably connected to the airframe. The fixed-wing assembly is connected to the airframe to form a vertical take-off and landing fixed-wing unmanned aerial vehicle and the rotor assembly is connected to the airframe to form a multi-rotor unmanned aerial vehicle, thereby implementing an unmanned aerial vehicle that can switch between the vertical take-off and landing fixed-wing unmanned aerial vehicle and the multi-rotor unmanned aerial vehicle.

A payload delivery device configured to deliver an aircraft deployed payload along a flight path to a predetermined landing destination includes a support member configured to be removably attached to the payload, a flight control and navigation system module configured to control orientation of the plurality of control surfaces while the payload is travelling along the flight path to the predetermined landing destination, a control surface assembly module including a plurality of control surfaces, a rotor assembly including a plurality of rotor blades having a central axis of rotation, and a collective control assembly module including at least one collective servomotor configured to control a plurality of control linkages connected to the plurality of rotor blades.

A payload delivery device configured to deliver an aircraft deployed payload along a flight path to a predetermined landing destination includes a support member configured to be removably attached to the payload, a flight control and navigation system module configured to control orientation of the plurality of control surfaces while the payload is travelling along the flight path to the predetermined landing destination, a control surface assembly module including a plurality of control surfaces, a rotor assembly including a plurality of rotor blades having a central axis of rotation, and a collective control assembly module including at least one collective servomotor configured to control a plurality of control linkages connected to the plurality of rotor blades.

A payload delivery device configured to deliver an aircraft deployed payload along a flight path to a predetermined landing destination includes a support member configured to be removably attached to the payload, a flight control and navigation system module configured to control orientation of the plurality of control surfaces while the payload is travelling along the flight path to the predetermined landing destination, a control surface assembly module including a plurality of control surfaces, a rotor assembly including a plurality of rotor blades having a central axis of rotation, and a collective control assembly module including at least one collective servomotor configured to control a plurality of control linkages connected to the plurality of rotor blades.

A payload delivery device configured to deliver an aircraft deployed payload along a flight path to a predetermined landing destination includes a support member configured to be removably attached to the payload, a flight control and navigation system module configured to control orientation of the plurality of control surfaces while the payload is travelling along the flight path to the predetermined landing destination, a control surface assembly module including a plurality of control surfaces, a rotor assembly including a plurality of rotor blades having a central axis of rotation, and a collective control assembly module including at least one collective servomotor configured to control a plurality of control linkages connected to the plurality of rotor blades.

The present invention provides methods and apparatus for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) with improved reliability. According to one aspect of the invention, interference experienced by onboard sensors from onboard electrical components is reduced. According to another aspect of the invention, user-configuration or assembly of electrical components is minimized to reduce user errors.

A vehicle can be configured to include a body having a body bottom conjoined with a body sidewall and a body top forming a body cavity. The body top includes a body top opening and the body sidewall includes a body sidewall opening. The vehicle can include a payload housing having a payload bottom conjoined with a payload housing sidewall and a payload housing top forming a payload housing cavity, wherein the payload housing cavity is configured to hold at least one operating module for the vehicle. The vehicle can include at least one arm. The vehicle can include at least one interlocking arrangement of the body top opening or body side wall configured to removably secure the payload housing and the at least one arm to the body. Each of the body, the payload housing, and the at least one arm can be structured with additive manufactured material.

A vehicle can be configured to include a body having a body bottom conjoined with a body sidewall and a body top forming a body cavity. The body top includes a body top opening and the body sidewall includes a body sidewall opening. The vehicle can include a payload housing having a payload bottom conjoined with a payload housing sidewall and a payload housing top forming a payload housing cavity, wherein the payload housing cavity is configured to hold at least one operating module for the vehicle. The vehicle can include at least one arm. The vehicle can include at least one interlocking arrangement of the body top opening or body side wall configured to removably secure the payload housing and the at least one arm to the body. Each of the body, the payload housing, and the at least one arm can be structured with additive manufactured material.

Systems and methods are provided for transformation of a UAV from an extended state to a compacted state. The UAV can be transported in the compacted state. The UAV can comprise one or more segmented arms that can be folded to reduce the volume of the UAV. The segmented arms can be sealed to prevent ambient air, dirt, and or water vapor from entering the segmented arm. The UAV can comprise a cooling and air filtering system on-board the UAV.