A moving body that can be transported in a state to stabilize the posture of the transport object, without affecting the transport object due to the inclination of the moving body when moving forward. A moving body comprising a holding mechanism that has a rotation unit that rotates in the pitch direction, and approximately horizontally holds an object to be transported from the side near the center of gravity of a transport unit capable of storage or above the center of gravity. Further, a moving body wherein the holding mechanism has a uniaxial rotation unit that rotates only in the pitch direction. Further, a moving body wherein the holding mechanism approximately horizontally holds the transport unit by active control. Alternatively, the holding mechanism approximately horizontally holds the transport unit by passive control.

A moving body that can be transported in a state to stabilize the posture of the transport object, without affecting the transport object due to the inclination of the moving body when moving forward. A moving body comprising a holding mechanism that has a rotation unit that rotates in the pitch direction, and approximately horizontally holds an object to be transported from the side near the center of gravity of a transport unit capable of storage or above the center of gravity. Further, a moving body wherein the holding mechanism has a uniaxial rotation unit that rotates only in the pitch direction. Further, a moving body wherein the holding mechanism approximately horizontally holds the transport unit by active control. Alternatively, the holding mechanism approximately horizontally holds the transport unit by passive control.

The present invention provides an unmanned aerial vehicle (100) comprising: a flight system (4) for producing thrust to manoeuvre the unmanned aerial vehicle (100). The flight system (4) comprises: one or more flight rotors (42) defining a plane passing through each flight rotor and a thrust direction generally perpendicular to the plane; and one or more electric motor (44) for driving the one or more flight rotors (42). The unmanned aerial vehicle (100) further comprises: a cargo area for coupling to or receiving a load (200); and a load system (6) for providing thrust additional to the thrust provided by the flight system (4) to thereby lift a load attached to the connection point. The load system (6) comprises: a first gas turbine propulsion system; and a controller configured to control the flight system (4) and load system (6).

The present invention provides an unmanned aerial vehicle (100) comprising: a flight system (4) for producing thrust to manoeuvre the unmanned aerial vehicle (100). The flight system (4) comprises: one or more flight rotors (42) defining a plane passing through each flight rotor and a thrust direction generally perpendicular to the plane; and one or more electric motor (44) for driving the one or more flight rotors (42). The unmanned aerial vehicle (100) further comprises: a cargo area for coupling to or receiving a load (200); and a load system (6) for providing thrust additional to the thrust provided by the flight system (4) to thereby lift a load attached to the connection point. The load system (6) comprises: a first gas turbine propulsion system; and a controller configured to control the flight system (4) and load system (6).

A patient litter basket spin control assembly for use on a patient litter basket is provided. The assembly comprises thruster unit for discharging an air stream and is mounted on the patient litter basket. At least one sensor is associated with the thruster unit for sensing rotational movement or spin of the patient litter basket, and a power source is provided for powering the thruster unit and the sensor. A clamp member mounts on the patient litter basket and releasably receives the thruster unit. The sensors modulate the force of the air stream from the thruster unit so that the air stream counters the rotational movement of the patient litter basket to stabilize the patient litter basket by preventing the spin.

A patient litter basket spin control assembly for use on a patient litter basket is provided. The assembly comprises thruster unit for discharging an air stream and is mounted on the patient litter basket. At least one sensor is associated with the thruster unit for sensing rotational movement or spin of the patient litter basket, and a power source is provided for powering the thruster unit and the sensor. A clamp member mounts on the patient litter basket and releasably receives the thruster unit. The sensors modulate the force of the air stream from the thruster unit so that the air stream counters the rotational movement of the patient litter basket to stabilize the patient litter basket by preventing the spin.

A system delivering fire retardant materials in fighting a surface fire is provided, having an aircraft carrying the fire-retardant material, a hose deployable from the aircraft, the delivery hose connected to the reservoir and having a controllable nozzle at a deployed end with a remotely operable valve, an end effector connected by a multi-axis gimbal at the deployed end of the delivery hose the end effector having fixed wings with ailerons and elevators, and a rudder, the ailerons, elevators and rudder moved by electrical actuators, and control apparatus and circuitry in the aircraft and the end effector enabling an operator in manipulating the ailerons, elevators and the rudder. An operative in the aircraft controls the end effector via the control apparatus to fly at a lower altitude and in a different path than the aircraft, and opens the remotely operable valve to deliver the fire-retardant material from the delivery hose.

A system delivering fire retardant materials in fighting a surface fire is provided, having an aircraft carrying the fire-retardant material, a hose deployable from the aircraft, the delivery hose connected to the reservoir and having a controllable nozzle at a deployed end with a remotely operable valve, an end effector connected by a multi-axis gimbal at the deployed end of the delivery hose the end effector having fixed wings with ailerons and elevators, and a rudder, the ailerons, elevators and rudder moved by electrical actuators, and control apparatus and circuitry in the aircraft and the end effector enabling an operator in manipulating the ailerons, elevators and the rudder. An operative in the aircraft controls the end effector via the control apparatus to fly at a lower altitude and in a different path than the aircraft, and opens the remotely operable valve to deliver the fire-retardant material from the delivery hose.

A refueling system has a first vehicle having a fuel tank connected to a deployable fuel hose with a nozzle on the deployable end, a second vehicle carrying a supply of fuel, having a refueling panel with a refueling port adapted to connect to the nozzle on the deployed end of the fuel hose, an end effector joined to the fuel hose proximate the nozzle, the end effector having a plurality of thrusters providing thrust in a plurality of directions; and control circuitry in the first vehicle and in the end effector enabling an operative to vary direction and thrust of the thrusters. The operative controls the thrusters through the control circuitry to direct the nozzle toward and to connect the nozzle to the refueling port on the refueling panel of the second vehicle.

A refueling system has a first vehicle having a fuel tank connected to a deployable fuel hose with a nozzle on the deployable end, a second vehicle carrying a supply of fuel, having a refueling panel with a refueling port adapted to connect to the nozzle on the deployed end of the fuel hose, an end effector joined to the fuel hose proximate the nozzle, the end effector having a plurality of thrusters providing thrust in a plurality of directions; and control circuitry in the first vehicle and in the end effector enabling an operative to vary direction and thrust of the thrusters. The operative controls the thrusters through the control circuitry to direct the nozzle toward and to connect the nozzle to the refueling port on the refueling panel of the second vehicle.