Covert air-to-ground cargo recovery system
First Claim
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1. A fast-acting, air-to-ground projectile for capturing a suspended net or net-like structure which is part of a cargo recovery system, comprising:
- an elongated projectile body having a forward end, a rearward end and a center of gravity located therebetween, and self-propulsion means for propelling the body from a low-flying aircraft towards a net-like structure;
a long cable having a first end attached to the body rearwardly of the center of gravity, and having a second end adapted for connection to a recovery aircraft;
grasping means connected to the body for grasping the net-like structure;
a homing sensor carried by the body for determining the direction of a signal emanating from the immediate vicinity of the net-like structure; and
steering means, operatively interconnected with the homing sensor for directing the body towards the net-like structure so that the projectile contacts the net-like structure and engages the grasping means with the net-like structure, whereby reeling in the second end of the cable recovers the net-like structure and any cargo attached thereto.
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Abstract
A fast-acting, air-to-ground recovery system utilizing a self-propelled projectile which tows a cable towards a net. The cable-towing projectile is launched from a low flying recovery aircraft. Upon contact with the net, the projectile deploys grappling arms which grasp the net. The net is attached to a cargo which is to be recovered. As the aircraft flies over the net, the cable becomes taut while the net and cargo are lifted off the ground and into the air. The cargo is then hauled into the aircraft by a winch.
11 Citations
23 Claims
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1. A fast-acting, air-to-ground projectile for capturing a suspended net or net-like structure which is part of a cargo recovery system, comprising:
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an elongated projectile body having a forward end, a rearward end and a center of gravity located therebetween, and self-propulsion means for propelling the body from a low-flying aircraft towards a net-like structure; a long cable having a first end attached to the body rearwardly of the center of gravity, and having a second end adapted for connection to a recovery aircraft; grasping means connected to the body for grasping the net-like structure; a homing sensor carried by the body for determining the direction of a signal emanating from the immediate vicinity of the net-like structure; and steering means, operatively interconnected with the homing sensor for directing the body towards the net-like structure so that the projectile contacts the net-like structure and engages the grasping means with the net-like structure, whereby reeling in the second end of the cable recovers the net-like structure and any cargo attached thereto. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A low observability system for recovering cargo on the ground from an aircraft, comprising:
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a net suspended substantially horizontally above the ground and means for attaching the net to cargo to be retrieved; and a self-propelled projectile connected to a first end of a long cable, the projectile having steering means for directing the projectile to the net, and grapple means for grasping the net when the projectile contacts the net; a hoist in the aircraft having cable handling means, connected to a second end of the cable for paying out and paying in the cable; and launching means in the aircraft for launching the projectile therefrom. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A covert method for quickly recovering cargo on the ground from an aircraft, comprising the steps of:
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attaching cargo to a net suspended substantially horizontally above the ground; placing a beacon substantially in an area circumscribed by the net; transmitting a distinctive signal from the beacon; approaching the vicinity of the net with a recovery aircraft at a relatively low altitude and a relatively high speed; launching a self-propelled projectile from the aircraft towards the net, the projectile having a first end of a cable attached thereto, and grapple means for grasping the net; retaining a second end of the cable in the aircraft and paying out the cable when the projectile is launched; guiding the projectile into contact with the net; connecting the grapple means to the net; and paying in the cable to retrieve the net and the cargo attached thereto. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23)
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Specification