A stability control method and device based on particle active disturbance rejection are provided. The method includes: establishing an active disturbance rejection controller model based on a dynamic model and a speed loop control model of a tethered balloon system, where the speed loop control model is established through theoretical modeling of executive components of a control system of the tethered balloon system; and optimizing to-be-optimized parameters of the active disturbance rejection controller model using a particle swarm optimization algorithm, determining an optimal active disturbance rejection controller model, and using the optimal active disturbance rejection controller model to implement stability control of a photoelectric pod. An active disturbance rejection controller is optimized by using a particle swarm optimization algorithm, which can effectively isolate the internal and external disturbances of the photoelectric pod and improve the imaging stability of the photoelectric pod.

A modular aerial vehicle for inspection of enclosed and open space environments. The aerial vehicle is employed for inspection of various environments in remotely controlled and autonomous fashions. The aerial vehicle is capable of carrying different sensory modules depending on the specific application including surface inspection. Aerial vehicle may be connected to a tether cable for electrical power delivery and transmission of control commands. The aerial vehicle may utilize a landing structure which allows landing on any angled metallic or non-metallic surface.

A parasite aircraft for airborne deployment and retrieve includes a wing; a fuselage rotatably mounted to the wing; a dock disposed on top of the fuselage and configured to receive a maneuverable capture device of a carrier aircraft; a pair of tail members extending from the fuselage; and a plurality of landing gear mounted to the wing. A method of preparing a parasite aircraft for flight includes unfolding an end portion of a wing; unfolding an end portion of a tail member of the parasite aircraft; and rotating a fuselage of the parasite aircraft so that the fuselage is perpendicular to the wing. A method of preparing a parasite aircraft for storage includes rotating a fuselage of the parasite aircraft to be parallel with a wing of the parasite aircraft; folding an end portion of the wing; and folding an end portion of a tail member of the parasite aircraft.

A power recharging system may include an electrical conductor connected to a first aircraft and configured to connect to a second aircraft while the aircrafts are in flight. An AC signal may be induced in the electrical conductor it is in proximity to a changing magnetic field. The system may include a first rectifier circuit at the first aircraft that converts the AC signal into a DC signal for charging the first aircraft and a second rectifier circuit at the second aircraft that converts the AC signal into a second DC signal for charging the second aircraft. The electrical conductor may be part of a communication line. A communication system at the first aircraft may send and receive data communications via the communication line.

A surveillance drone system is provided herein generally including an UAV, a base power station, and, a tether for connecting the UAV to the base power station to provide electrical power to the UAV when airborne. The base power station may include a cable take-up assembly for releasing and taking up the tether. A plug or power module is provided at the free end of the tether configured to be detachably coupled with the UAV, to transmit electrical power to, and, possibly, data to and from, the UAV. With the plug or power module being detached, the UAV is free to fly unrestricted. This arrangement allows for the UAV to be airborne for prolonged periods to allow for monitoring a region and for release to allow the UAV to investigate anomalies in the monitored region.

Methods and apparatus to recover unmanned aerial vehicles with kites are disclosed. A disclosed example apparatus includes a tether line to be supported by a kite at a distal end thereof, and a release to deploy and expand a parafoil from at least one of the tether line or the kite in response to the aircraft contacting the tether line.

Methods, apparatus, systems and articles of manufacture are disclosed. A disclosed example apparatus to recover an aircraft includes a mast extending from a base, a boom extending from the mast at a first end of the boom to a second end of the boom opposite the first end, a tether line extending between the mast to the base and guided by the boom, a portion of the tether line extending between the second end of the boom and the base, and a mount to operatively coupled the a kite to the tether line, the kite to support the tether line as the aircraft contacts the portion for recovery thereof.

A system and a method are provided for achieving long range, over the horizon (OTH), persistent surveillance, alerting, tracking and situational awareness against small, low radar cross section moving targets. The system and method use one or more tethered unmanned arial systems, or unmanned arial vehicles, to lift components including a radar antenna to a height above nearby obstacles or much higher. The system and method can also be used for subsurface radar detection and tracking applications, as well as communications with submarines.

An unmanned aircraft system 100 built off of a purpose-built transmission infrastructure 300 with a power collector 400 riding along the infrastructure 300 connected to a tether 500 that is electrically connected to both the infrastructure 300 through the power collector 400 and also connected to an unmanned aircraft carrying associated electronics that are powered through the tether.

A kite driven watercraft power generating system which includes at least one operative location defined on the watercraft, at least one inoperative location defined on the watercraft, a plurality of kite base stations mounted displaceably about the watercraft and, an orientation subsystem for displacing each of the plurality of kite base stations between the at least one operative, and, the at least one inoperative locations, respectively, wherein each of the plurality of kite base stations is further configured to orientate its respective kite in a wind harvesting and energy generating mode when located in the at least one operative location, and, in a kite retraction mode, when located in the at least one inoperative location.