Unmanned airborne reconnaissance system

• US 7,210,654 B1
• Filed: 07/23/2003
• Issued: 05/01/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 07/23/2003
• 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): BAREFOOT, GALEN L
• Application Number:
  US10/625,399
• Time in Patent Office: 1,378 Days
• Field of Search: 244/45.R, 244/45.A, 244/63, 244/190, 244/3.1
• US Class Current: 244/63
• CPC Class Codes: B64C 39/024 of the remote controlled vehicle type, i.e. RPV
• CPC Class Codes: B64F 1/06 using catapults
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 10/25 Fixed-wing aircraft VTOL aircraft B64U10/20
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 2101/30 for imaging, photography or videography
• 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 30/14 detachable
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 50/13 using external fans or propellers
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 50/15 using combustion exhausts other than turbojets or turbofans, e.g. using rockets, ramjets, scramjets or pulse-reactors
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 50/19 using electrically powered motors
• 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 80/70 in containers B64U80/60 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F42B 12/365 Projectiles transmitting information to a remote location using optical or electronic means F42B12/385 takes precedence
• 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 airborne vehicle having a fuselage and wings defining a biplane, the 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 including a launch rail having a longitudinal axis comprised of at least two sections;

power means;

a carriage for slidable receipt onto the launch rail member for engagement with the airborne vehicle and for engagement to the power means to power the carriage along the rail; and

a container adapted to receive thereinto the airborne vehicle with the wings removed from the fuselage and the launch rail thereof.

2. An airborne reconnaissance system comprising:

an airborne vehicle having a fuselage and wings defining a biplane, the 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, including a launch rail having a longitudinal axis and comprised of at least two separate but engageable sections;

a carriage for slideable receipt onto the launch rail for engagement to the airborne vehicle;

means to power the carriage along the launch rail member; and

a backpack adapted to receive the airborne vehicle with the wings removed from the fuselage and, the at least two launch rail sections.