Aerial vehicles may be selectively transitioned between a fixed wing flight configuration and a vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) configuration. In the fixed wing flight configuration, a forward propeller may rotate in a first forward plane, whereas in the VTOL configuration, the forward propeller may be tilted to rotate in a second forward plane. A forward landing arm may extend downward in the VTOL configuration and be configured to be tilted to a stowed position when the aerial vehicle is in the fixed wing flight configuration. The forward landing arm may be coupled to the forward propeller such that tilting of the forward propeller causes corresponding tilting of the forward landing arm. In some examples, a plurality of such landing arms and propellers are tilted during transitioning of the aerial vehicle, such as one or more forward propellers and landing arms and/or one or more aft propellers and landing arms.

Provided is a flight device that can surely perform transformation operations of legs supporting a fuselage base in landing. A flight device 10 includes: a fuselage base 14; a first leg 26 provided on the fuselage base 14 and transformable between a flight state and a landing state; a second leg 27 provided on the fuselage base 14 as a separate body from the first leg 26 and transformable between the flight state and the landing state; a first drive unit 281 and a second drive unit 282 configured to drive transformation operations of the first leg 26 and the second leg 27; and an operation interconnecting mechanism 16 configured to interconnect the first leg 26 and the second leg 27 in terms of operation.

Walking VTOL vehicles and related systems and methods are disclosed. A representative system can include one or more vertical thrust propulsion systems for providing vertical thrust for the vehicle, one or more horizontal thrust propulsion systems for providing horizontal thrust for the vehicle, and leg elements that are rotatable between a first configuration in which each leg element extends downwardly and a second configuration different from the first configuration. A representative method of operating a vehicle includes using vertical thrust to raise the vehicle upward, rotating a leg element forward, lowering the vehicle, and then rotating the leg element rearward to propel the vehicle forward.

An aircraft is described with both VTOL (vertical takeoff and landing) capabilities and convention airplane capabilities. A preferred embodiment comprises a fuselage and fixed wing, with one boom on either side of the fuselage. Each boom comprises a tilt rotor on a fore end and a fixed rotor on the aft end. Both rotors can be directed vertically for VTOL capability. During cruise the tilt rotors can be directed forward for thrust and the fixed rotors can be stopped and directed along the boom axis, minimizing drag. The described embodiments have advantages in weight savings and maneuverability compared to other VTOL aircraft.

A propeller guard (200) according to the present disclosure is a propeller guard (200) for an unmanned aerial vehicle including a main body part (1) and a propeller part (2) and includes: an encircling part (210) that extends around the propeller part (2) and protects the propeller part (2); and a connection part (220) that connects the main body part (1) and the encircling part (210), wherein the encircling part (210) has a buoyant force for maintaining at least a part of the main body part (1) and the propeller part (2) above water.

A helicopter includes a propulsion system, gimbal assembly, and a controller. The propulsion system includes a first rotor assembly and a second rotor assembly. The first rotor assembly comprises a first motor coupled to a first rotor and the second rotor assembly comprises a second motor coupled to a second rotor. The second rotor is coaxial to the first rotor and is configured to be counter-rotating to the first rotor. The gimbal assembly couples a fuselage of the helicopter to the propulsion system. The controller is communicably coupled to the gimbal assembly and is configured to provide instructions to the gimbal assembly in order to weight-shift the fuselage of the helicopter, thereby controlling movements of the helicopter.

A helicopter includes a propulsion system, gimbal assembly, and a controller. The propulsion system includes a first and second rotor assembly, wherein the first rotor assembly comprises a first motor coupled to a first rotor, the first rotor comprising a plurality of first fixed-pitch blades and the second rotor assembly comprises a second motor coupled to a second rotor, the second rotor comprising a plurality of second fixed-pitch blades. The second rotor is coaxial to the first rotor and is configured to be counter-rotating to the first rotor. The controller is communicably coupled to the gimbal assembly and is configured to provide instructions to at least one of the first or second gimbal motors in order to orient the plurality of first and second fixed-pitch blades into a position that permits wind to rotate the first and second fixed-pitch blades and thereby charge the power source.

A drone is for installing an object on a power line. The drone has a connection means for connecting the drone to the object, so that the drone may carry the object. A first engagement member is for engaging a second engagement member on the object. A power source is for operating the first engagement member so as to actuate a locking means on the object, via the second engagement member, for securely locking the object to the power line. The drone further has a device for limiting one or more degrees of freedom of the object relative to the power line before engaging the locking means.

A method for destroying enemy's targets is disclosed which comprises the following steps: (a) carrying a multicopter drone in a backpack of a first soldier; (b) removing the multicopter drone from the backpack, unfolding, and coupling a missile to the multicopter drone; (c) remote controlling the multicopter drone to search for the enemy' targets using a remote control; and (d) launching the missile from the multicopter drone when the enemy' targets are detected.

A method for destroying enemy's targets is disclosed which comprises the following steps: (a) carrying a multicopter drone in a backpack of a first soldier; (b) removing the multicopter drone from the backpack, unfolding, and coupling a missile to the multicopter drone; (c) remote controlling the multicopter drone to search for the enemy' targets using a remote control; and (d) launching the missile from the multicopter drone when the enemy' targets are detected.