Mobile UAV launch and retrieval system for operation within a transportation system
First Claim
1. An unmanned aircraft (UA) launch and retrieval system, comprising:
- a launch and retrieval mechanism configured to be mounted to a mobile platform and associated with an operating envelope, the launch and retrieval mechanism including;
a capture mechanism configured to engage with at least one first UA system (UAS) located within the operating envelope, the first UAS associated with flight data including one or more of a first position, a first airspeed, and a first heading; and
a launch mechanism configured to propel at least one second UAS from the mobile platform at a second airspeed and a second heading;
anda command and control system coupled to the launch and retrieval mechanism, the command and control system comprising;
at least one sensor configured to determine one or more of a windspeed, a wind direction, and position data including one or more of a second position of the mobile platform, a third heading of the mobile platform, and a velocity of the mobile platform;
communications equipment including one or more ofa receiver configured to receive the flight data from the at least one first UAS; and
a transmitter configured to send to the at least one first UAS one or more of the position data, the windspeed, and the wind direction;
at least one control station configured to be coupled to the mobile platform, the at least one control station configured to;
receive input from at least one operator; and
articulate one or more of the capture mechanism and the launch mechanism based on the received input;
the at least one control station comprising;
a memory configured to store at least one flight plan associated with the second UAS;
at least one processor coupled to the at least one sensor and the communications equipment, the at least one processor configured to;
determine the second airspeed based on one or more of the position data, the flight plan, the windspeed, the wind direction, and a first weight of the at least one second UAS;
andat least one display unit configured to display to the operator one or more of the position data, the flight data, the flight plan, the windspeed, and the wind direction.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Systems for mobile launch and retrieval of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) include a rail-based, ground-based, or water-based mobile platform carrying a mobile station for launching and retrieving vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) or non-VTOL UAS while the platform is in motion, based on current position and weather conditions. The mobile platform may include facilities for communicating with the airborne UAS, stowing a retrieved UAS, and reloading/refitting a stowed UAS. The mobile platform may include positionable wake control devices and a partially positionable launch and retrieval mechanism for alleviating turbulence or crosswinds. The mobile platform may include long-range sensors for detecting or identifying obstacles near a rail-based platform that may interfere with the operating envelope of the launch and retrieval mechanisms. The launch and retrieval system may be intermodal and scalable either up or down as mission parameters demand.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. An unmanned aircraft (UA) launch and retrieval system, comprising:
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a launch and retrieval mechanism configured to be mounted to a mobile platform and associated with an operating envelope, the launch and retrieval mechanism including; a capture mechanism configured to engage with at least one first UA system (UAS) located within the operating envelope, the first UAS associated with flight data including one or more of a first position, a first airspeed, and a first heading; and a launch mechanism configured to propel at least one second UAS from the mobile platform at a second airspeed and a second heading; and a command and control system coupled to the launch and retrieval mechanism, the command and control system comprising; at least one sensor configured to determine one or more of a windspeed, a wind direction, and position data including one or more of a second position of the mobile platform, a third heading of the mobile platform, and a velocity of the mobile platform; communications equipment including one or more of a receiver configured to receive the flight data from the at least one first UAS; and a transmitter configured to send to the at least one first UAS one or more of the position data, the windspeed, and the wind direction; at least one control station configured to be coupled to the mobile platform, the at least one control station configured to; receive input from at least one operator; and articulate one or more of the capture mechanism and the launch mechanism based on the received input; the at least one control station comprising; a memory configured to store at least one flight plan associated with the second UAS; at least one processor coupled to the at least one sensor and the communications equipment, the at least one processor configured to; determine the second airspeed based on one or more of the position data, the flight plan, the windspeed, the wind direction, and a first weight of the at least one second UAS; and at least one display unit configured to display to the operator one or more of the position data, the flight data, the flight plan, the windspeed, and the wind direction. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. An unmanned aircraft (UA) launch and retrieval system for operation within a ground-based transportation network, the system comprising:
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at least one mobile platform configured to traverse a transport corridor; a launch and retrieval mechanism coupled to the mobile platform and associated with an operating envelope, the launch and retrieval mechanism comprising a capture mechanism configured to engage with at least one first UA system (UAS) located within the operating envelope, the first UAS associated with flight data including one or more of a first position, a first heading, and a first airspeed; a launch mechanism configured to propel at least one second UAS from the mobile platform at a second airspeed and a second heading; a command and control system coupled to the launch and retrieval mechanism, the command and control system comprising; one or more sensors including at least; a first sensor configured to determine one or more of a windspeed, a wind direction, and position data including one or more of a velocity of the mobile platform, a second position of the mobile platform, and a third heading of the mobile platform; and a second sensor configured to detect an obstacle within the operating envelope; communications equipment coupled to the one or more sensors and including one or more of a receiver configured to receive the flight data from the at least one first UAS and a transmitter configured to send to the at least one first UAS one or more of the position data, the windspeed, and the wind direction; at least one control station coupled to the one or more sensors and the communications equipment, the at least one control station configured to receive input from at least one operator and articulate one or more of the capture mechanism and the launch mechanism based on the received input, the at least one control station comprising; a memory configured to store a flight plan associated with the at least one second UAS; at least one processor coupled to the one or more sensors and the communications equipment, the at least one processor configured to
1) determine the second airspeed based on one or more of the position data, the flight plan, the windspeed, the wind direction, and a second weight of the at least one second UAS and
2) modify the flight plan based on the received input;and at least one display unit configured to display to the at least one operator one or more of the position data, the flight data, the flight plan, the windspeed, and the wind direction. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18)
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19. An unmanned aircraft (UA) launch and retrieval system, the system comprising:
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one or more intermodal containers configured to; be removably mounted to at least one mobile platform; and at least one of contain and partially enclose a launch and retrieval mechanism, and at least one of a command and control system and a wake control device; the launch and retrieval mechanism associated with an operating envelope and comprising; a capture mechanism configured to engage with at least one first UA system (UAS) traveling within the operating envelope at one or more of a first heading and a first airspeed; a launch mechanism configured to propel at least one second UAS from the at least one mobile platform at one or more of a second heading and a second airspeed; the command and control system configured to be coupled to the launch and retrieval mechanism and comprising; at least one sensor configured to determine one or more of a windspeed, a wind direction, and position data including at least one of a velocity of the mobile platform, a position of the mobile platform, and a third heading of the mobile platform; communications equipment comprising; a receiver configured to receive from the at least one first UAS one or more of the first heading and the first airspeed; and a transmitter configured to send to the at least one first UAS one or more of the position data, the windspeed, and the wind direction; and at least one control station configured to receive input from at least one operator, the at least one control station comprising; a memory configured to store a flight plan associated with the at least one second UAS; at least one processor coupled to the at least one sensor and the communications equipment, the at least one processor configured to
1) determine the second airspeed based on one or more of the position data, the flight plan, the windspeed, the wind direction, and a second weight of the at least one second UAS and
2) modify the at least one flight plan based on the received input; andat least one display unit configured to display to the at least one operator one or more of the position data, the flight data, the flight plan, the windspeed, and the wind direction. - View Dependent Claims (20)
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Specification