Unmanned airborne reconnaissance system

• US 7,014,141 B2
• Filed: 07/12/2002
• Issued: 03/21/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 07/13/2001
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Mission Technology Group, Inc. (One Stop Systems Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Mission Technology Group, Inc. (One Stop Systems Incorporated)
• Inventors: Nyroth, Nicholas, Dews, Hampton, Cox, Beverly
• Primary Examiner(s): Gregory, Bernarr E.
• Application Number:
  US10/194,814
• Publication Number:
  US 20030155463A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,348 Days
• Field of Search: 342 61- 66, 244/76.R, 244/175, 244/189, 244/190, 244 31- 33, 244/13, 244/117, 244/120, 244/75.R, 244/117.R, 348/39, 348/113, 348/114, 348/61, 348/143, 348/144, 273/348, 273/359, 273/362
• US Class Current: 244/3.11
• CPC Class Codes: B64F 1/06 using catapults
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 10/80 UAVs characterised by their small size, e.g. micro air vehicles [MAV]
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 20/60 UAVs characterised by the material
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 20/87 Mounting of imaging devices, e.g. mounting of gimbals
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 2101/15 for conventional or electronic warfare
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 2101/30 for imaging, photography or videography
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 2201/104 using satellite radio beacon positioning systems, e.g. GPS
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 2201/20 Remote controls
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 30/12 Variable or detachable wings, e.g. wings with adjustable sweep
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 30/40 Empennages, e.g. V-tails foldable or collapsible UAVs B64U20/50
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 50/11 using internal combustion piston engines
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 50/13 using external fans or propellers
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 60/40 foldable or retractable
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 60/50 with landing legs
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 70/70 Launching or landing using catapults, tracks or rails launching from storage containers B64U70/50
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 70/83 using parachutes, balloons or the like
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 80/60 by wearable objects, e.g. garments or helmets
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 80/70 in containers B64U80/60 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F41G 3/02 using an independent line of sight
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 50/80 Energy efficient operational measures, e.g. ground operations or mission management

Abstract

An unmanned airborne reconnaissance system, the unmanned airborne reconnaissance system including a lightweight, portable, powered aircraft and a foldable launch rail, the aircraft, in a broken down condition and the launch rail in a broken down condition fitable inside a box, the box capable of being carried by one man. The launch system includes an elongated launch rail with the carriage assembly, and a propulsion means for accelerating the carriage assembly from one end of the launch rail to the other. The carriage assembly releasably engages the aircraft so as to propel the aircraft from one end of the launch rail to the other. The propulsion may be by a cartridge that explodes and releases a gas through a cylinder, or by elastic cords. The aircraft is guided through the air either by a programmed onboard computer which controls the control surfaces of the aircraft and/or by remote control. The aircraft typically contains a camera for recording and transmitting images received from the ground below.

Claims

1. An airborne reconnaissance system comprising:

an unmanned aircraft system adapted to be disassembled;

a launch system for said unmanned aircraft system, said launch system adapted to be disassembled;

a remote control system for remote control of said unmanned aircraft system;

said remote control system being detachable from said unmanned aircraft system and said launch system;

a container for receiving

said unmanned aircraft system and said launch system in their disassembled states;

said container containing said unmanned aircraft system and said launch adapted to be carried as a backpack; and

means for assembly and disassembly of said unmanned aircraft and said launch;

wherein

said reconnaissance system is transportable, field-deployable, and operational by one person.

2. The reconnaissance system of claim 1 wherein the unmanned aircraft system includes a visual recording system;

said visual recording system gimbal-mounted on said unmanned aircraft system; and

,

said visual recording system controlled by said remote control system.

3. The reconnaissance system of claim 2 wherein the visual recording system is controllable in real time.

4. The reconnaissance system of claim 2 wherein the visual recording system is programmable.

5. The reconnaissance system of claim 1 wherein the unmanned aircraft system includes means for retrieval by parachute.

6. The reconnaissance system of claim 1 wherein the remote control system is controllable in real time.

7. The reconnaissance system of claim 1 wherein the remote control system is programmable.

8. An airborne reconnaissance system comprising:

an airborne vehicle having a fuselage and wings adapted to be removed from the fuselage, the airborne vehicle including an onboard video camera and video signal transmitter and a flight control system to remotely control a flight of the airborne vehicle from a remote location;

a launch system for launching the airborne vehicle into the air; and

,

a container to receive the airborne vehicle with the wings removed from the fuselage thereof, said container being backpackable.

9. The airborne reconnaissance system of claim 8, wherein the backpackable container is adapted to receive the launch system thereinto.

10. An airborne reconnaissance system comprising:

an airborne vehicle having a fuselage and wings adapted to be removed from the fuselage, the airborne vehicle including an onboard video camera and video signal transmitter and a flight control system to remotely control a flight of the airborne vehicle from a remote location;

a launch system for launching the airborne vehicle into the air; and

,

a container to receive the airborne vehicle with the wings removed from the fuselage thereof, said container defining an interior and the interior includes foam.

11. An airborne reconnaissance system comprising:

an airborne vehicle having a fuselage and wings adapted to be removed from the fuselage, the airborne vehicle including an onboard video camera and video signal transmitter and a flight control system to remotely control a flight of the airborne vehicle from a remote location;

a launch system for launching the airborne vehicle into the air, said launch system including a gas propellant; and

,

a container to receive the airborne vehicle with the wings removed from the fuselage thereof.

12. An airborne reconnaissance system comprising:

an airborne vehicle having a fuselage and wings adapted to be removed from the fuselage, the airborne vehicle including an onboard video camera and video signal transmitter and a flight control system to remotely control a flight of the airborne vehicle from a remote location;

a launch system for launching the airborne vehicle into the air, said launch system including a launch rail member, said launch rail member including a power assist mechanism to help accelerate the airborne vehicle from one end of the launch rail member to the other; and

a container to receive the airborne vehicle with the wings removed from the fuselage thereof.

13. An airborne reconnaissance system comprising:

an airborne vehicle having a fuselage and wings adapted to be removed from the fuselage, the airborne vehicle including an onboard video camera and video signal transmitter and a flight control system to remotely control a flight of the airborne vehicle from a remote location;

a launch system for launching the airborne vehicle into the air, said launch system including a carriage, the carriage for engagement with the airborne vehicle;

said launch system further including a trigger for releasably engaging the carriage; and

,

a container to receive the airborne vehicle with the wings removed from the fuselage thereof.

14. An airborne reconnaissance system comprising:

an airborne vehicle having a fuselage and wings adapted to be removed from the fuselage, the airborne vehicle including an onboard video camera and video signal transmitter and a flight control system to remotely control a flight of the airborne vehicle from a remote location;

a launch system for launching the airborne vehicle into the air, said launch system including a launch rail member, said launch rail member including a pulley; and

a container to receive the airborne vehicle with the wings removed from the fuselage thereof.

15. An airborne reconnaissance system comprising:

an airborne vehicle having a fuselage and wings adapted to be removed from the fuselage, the airborne vehicle including an onboard video camera and video signal transmitter and a flight control system to remotely control a flight of the airborne vehicle from a remote location;

a launch system for launching the airborne vehicle into the air;

a container to receive the airborne vehicle with the wings removed from the fuselage thereof; and

wherein the airborne vehicle further includes a global positioning system unit and an antenna for transmitting global positioning system unit signals to a remote location.

16. An airborne reconnaissance system comprising:

an airborne vehicle having a fuselage and wings adapted to be removed from the fuselage, the airborne vehicle including an onboard video camera and video signal transmitter, a flight control system to remotely control a flight of the airborne vehicle from a remote location, and an engine, said engine having a generator engaged therewith for generating electricity;

a launch system for launching the airborne vehicle into the air; and

,

a container to receive the airborne vehicle with the wings removed from the fuselage thereof.

17. An airborne reconnaissance system comprising:

an airborne vehicle having a fuselage and wings adapted to be removed from the fuselage, the airborne vehicle including an onboard video camera and video signal transmitter and a flight control system to remotely control a flight of the airborne vehicle from a remote location;

a launch system for launching the airborne vehicle into the air, said launch system including a carriage, the carriage for engagement with the airborne vehicle, the launch system further including means to absorb the acceleration energy of the carriage; and

,

a container to receive the airborne vehicle with the wings removed from the fuselage thereof.

18. An airborne reconnaissance system comprising:

an airborne vehicle having a fuselage and wings adapted to be removed from the fuselage, the airborne vehicle including an onboard video camera and video signal transmitter and a flight control system to remotely control a flight of the airborne vehicle from a remote location;

a launch system for launching the airborne vehicle into the air, said launch system including a carriage, the carriage for engagement with the airborne vehicle;

shear pins for engaging the fuselage of the airborne vehicle to the carriage; and

,

a container to receive the airborne vehicle with the wings removed from the fuselage thereof.

19. An airborne reconnaissance system comprising:

an airborne vehicle having a fuselage and wings adapted to be removed from the fuselage, the airborne vehicle including an onboard video camera and video signal transmitter and a flight control system to remotely control a flight of the airborne vehicle from a remote location;

a launch system for launching the airborne vehicle into the air, said launch system including a launch rail member, comprised of at least two sections hinged together; and

a container to receive the airborne vehicle with the wings removed from the fuselage thereof.

20. An airborne reconnaissance system comprising:

an airborne vehicle having a fuselage and wings removable from the fuselage, the airborne vehicle including an onboard video camera and video signal transmitter and a flight control system to remotely control a flight of the airborne vehicle from a remote location; and

,

a container for receiving the airborne vehicle with the wings removed from the fuselage thereof wherein the container is backpackable and includes straps.

21. An airborne reconnaissance system comprising:

an airborne vehicle having a fuselage and wings adapted to be removed from the fuselage, wherein the airborne vehicle includes an engine and the engine has a generator engaged therewith for generating electricity, the airborne vehicle including an onboard video camera and video signal transmitter and a flight control system to remotely control a flight of the airborne vehicle from a remote location; and

,

a container for receiving the airborne vehicle with the wings removed from the fuselage thereof.

22. An airborne reconnaissance system comprising:

an airborne vehicle having a fuselage and wings adapted to be removed from the fuselage, the airborne vehicle including an onboard video camera and video signal transmitter and a flight control system to remotely control a flight of the airborne vehicle from a remote location, wherein the airborne vehicle further includes a global positioning system unit and an antenna for transmitting global positioning system unit signals to a remote location; and

,

a container for receiving the airborne vehicle with the wings removed from the fuselage thereof.

23. An airborne reconnaissance system comprising:

an airborne vehicle having a fuselage and wings adapted to be removed from the fuselage, the airborne vehicle including an onboard video camera and video signal transmitter and a flight control system to remotely control a flight of the airborne vehicle from a remote location;

a launch system for launching the airborne vehicle into the air wherein the launch system includes a launch rail member and wherein the launch rail system includes a carriage, for slidable receipt onto the launch rail member, the carriage for engagement with the airborne vehicle, wherein the launch rail member further includes absorption member to absorb the acceleration energy of the carriage as the carriage reaches the end of the launch rail member; and

,

a container for receiving the airborne vehicle with the wings removed from the fuselage thereof.

24. An airborne reconnaissance system comprising:

an airborne vehicle having a fuselage and wings adapted to be removed from the fuselage, the airborne vehicle including an onboard video camera and video signal transmitter and a flight control system to remotely control a flight of the airborne vehicle from a remote location;

a launch system for launching the airborne vehicle into the air, wherein the launch system includes a launch rail member and wherein the launch rail system includes a carriage, for slidable receipt onto the launch rail member, the carriage for engagement with the airborne vehicle, wherein the launch system includes shear pins for engaging the fuselage of the airborne vehicle to the carriage; and

,

a container for receiving the airborne vehicle with the wings removed from the fuselage thereof.

25. An airborne reconnaissance system comprising:

an airborne vehicle having a fuselage and wings adapted to be removed from the fuselage, the airborne vehicle including an onboard video camera and video signal transmitter and a flight control system to remotely control a flight of the airborne vehicle from a remote location;

a launch system for launching the airborne vehicle into the air, wherein the launch system includes a launch rail member and a carriage for engagement with the airborne vehicle, wherein the launch rail member includes at least two sections hinged together; and

,

a container for receiving the airborne vehicle with the wings removed from the fuselage thereof.

26. An airborne reconnaissance system comprising:

an airborne vehicle having a fuselage and wings adapted to be removed from the fuselage, the airborne vehicle including an onboard video camera and video signal transmitter on the flight control system to remotely control the flight of the airborne vehicle from a remote location; and

a launch system engageable with the airborne vehicle, the launch system comprising of a launch rail, said launch rail comprised of at least two sections, wherein the at least two sections are removably attached one from the other.

27. An airborne reconnaissance system comprising:

an airborne vehicle having a fuselage and wings adapted to be removed from the fuselage, the airborne vehicle including an onboard video camera and video signal transmitter on the flight control system to remotely control the flight of the airborne vehicle from a remote location; and

a launch system engageable with the airborne vehicle, the launch system comprising of a launch rail, said launch rail comprised of at least two section, wherein the at least two sections of the launch rail are hingedly attached one to the other.

28. An airborne reconnaissance system comprising:

an airborne vehicle having a fuselage and wings adapted to be removed from the fuselage, the airborne vehicle including an onboard video camera and video signal transmitter on the flight control system to remotely control the flight of the airborne vehicle from a remote location;

a launch system engageable with the airborne vehicle, the launch system comprising of a launch rail wherein the launch rail has at least two sections and

a container adapted for containing the airborne vehicle and the launch rail of the launch system wherein the container is adapted to receive the at least two sections of the launch rail.

29. An airborne reconnaissance system comprising:

an airborne vehicle having a fuselage and wings adapted to be removed from the fuselage, the airborne vehicle including an onboard video camera and video signal transmitter on the flight control system to remotely control the flight of the airborne vehicle from a remote location; and

a launch system engageable with the airborne vehicle, the launch system comprising of a launch rail, wherein the launch rail of the launch system includes a power assist means.

30. The airborne reconnaissance system of claim 29, wherein the power assist means includes an elastic cord.

31. The airborne reconnaissance system of claim 29, wherein the power assist means includes gas propulsion means.

32. An airborne reconnaissance system comprising:

an airborne vehicle having a fuselage and wings adapted to be removed from the fuselage, the airborne vehicle including an onboard video camera and video signal transmitter on the flight control system to remotely control the flight of the airborne vehicle from a remote location; and

a launch system engageable with the airborne vehicle, the launch system comprising of a launch rail wherein the launch rail includes a shearable member to engage the airborne vehicle therewith.

33. An airborne reconnaissance system comprising:

an airborne vehicle having a fuselage and wings adapted to be removed from the fuselage, the airborne vehicle including an onboard video camera and video signal transmitter on the flight control system to remotely control the flight of the airborne vehicle from a remote location; and

a launch system engageable with the airborne vehicle, the launch system comprising of a launch rail and a carriage for engaging the airborne vehicle and further includes a power assist means for powering the carriage from one end of the launch rail to the other, while the airborne vehicle is attached to the carriage, the launch system further including a shock absorbing member for absorbing the shock of the carriage as it reaches a removed end of the launch rail.

34. An airborne reconnaissance system comprising:

a container;

an airborne vehicle having a fuselage and wings adapted to be removed from the fuselage, the airborne vehicle including an onboard video camera and video signal transmitter and a flight control system to remotely control a flight of he airborne vehicle form a remote location;

a launch system for launching the airborne vehicle into the air wherein said launch system breaks down wherein the container is dimensioned to receive the wings and fuselage of the airborne vehicle and to received the broken down launch system.