Systems and methods for in-flight retrieval of unmanned aerial vehicles

A system for capturing a UAV and loading the UAV into an aircraft while the aircraft is airborne, the system comprising:

• a support component configured to stabilize and support the UAV, wherein the support component is configured to be selectively and reversibly moved between a stowed position in which the support component is contained within the aircraft, and an extended position in which at least a terminal end of the rigid support component is positioned outside the aircraft;
• and
• a tether having a distal tether end, wherein the tether is configured to be selectively and reversibly moved between a retracted configuration in which the distal tether end is positioned inside the aircraft, and a capture configuration in which the distal tether end is positioned outside the aircraft and beyond the terminal end of the support component, wherein the tether is configured to engage the UAV outside of turbulence generated by the aircraft, wherein the tether is configured such that as the tether is moved toward the retracted configuration, the tether draws an engaged UAV toward the support component for subsequent transfer thereby into the aircraft, and wherein the support component is rigid such that it stabilizes and supports the engaged UAV while the engaged UAV is moved into the aircraft.