Mobile UAV launch and retrieval system for operation within a transportation system

An unmanned aircraft (UA) launch and retrieval system for operation within a ground-based transportation network, the system comprising:

• 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.

An unmanned aircraft (UA) launch and retrieval system, the system comprising:

• 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;
• 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.