# US 11,027,844 B2 · Rotorcraft-assisted system for launching and retrieving a fixed-wing aircraft into and from free flight > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,027,844 B2 - Document ID: US11027844B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 16/119,283 - Filed: 2018-08-31 - Published: 2020-05-21 - Granted: 2021-06-08 - Earliest claimed: 2017-09-06 - Assignees: Hood Technology Corporation - Applicants: Hood Technology Corporation - Inventors: Andreas H. von Flotow; Corydon C. Roeseler - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11027844B2 ## CPC - B64U 70/20: for releasing or capturing UAVs in flight by another aircraft - B64D 5/00: Aircraft transported by aircraft, e.g. for release or reberthing during flight - B64F 1/029: {using a cable or tether} - B64F 1/0295: {aerodynamically or aerostatically supported, e.g. parafoil or balloon} - B64F 1/222: for storing aircraft, e.g. in hangars - B64U 10/25: Fixed-wing aircraft (VTOL aircraft B64U10/20) - B64U 50/13: using external fans or propellers - B64U 80/70: in containers (B64U80/60 takes precedence) - B64U 80/82: Airborne vehicles - B64U 30/10: Wings - B64U 70/30: for capturing UAVs in flight by ground or sea-based arresting gear, e.g. by a cable or a net - B64U: UNMANNED AERIAL VEHICLES [UAV]; EQUIPMENT THEREFOR - B64D: EQUIPMENT FOR FITTING IN OR TO AIRCRAFT; FLIGHT SUITS; PARACHUTES; ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF POWER PLANTS OR PROPULSION TRANSMISSIONS IN AIRCRAFT - B64F: GROUND OR AIRCRAFT-CARRIER-DECK INSTALLATIONS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR USE IN CONNECTION WITH AIRCRAFT; DESIGNING, MANUFACTURING, ASSEMBLING, CLEANING, MAINTAINING OR REPAIRING AIRCRAFT, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; HANDLING, TRANSPORTING, TESTING OR INSPECTING AIRCRAFT COMPONENTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR ## Abstract A rotorcraft-assisted system for launching and retrieving a fixed-wing aircraft into and from free flight. The launch and retrieval system is usable with a rotorcraft to launch a fixed-wing aircraft into free, wing-borne flight and to retrieve the fixed-wing aircraft from free, wing-borne flight. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method for capturing a fixed-wing aircraft from wing-borne flight, the method comprising: positioning an anchor system at a retrieval location; extending a flexible capture member from the anchor system through a first receiving bore and a second receiving bore of an aircraft landing device, wherein the aircraft landing device includes a bearing positioned proximate the first receiving bore and configured to contact the flexible capture member; attaching the flexible capture member to a rotorcraft; ascending the rotorcraft to a retrieval height above the retrieval location; intercepting the fixed-wing aircraft via the flexible capture member; and lowering the fixed-wing aircraft onto the aircraft landing device. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, including operating the anchor system to payout and haul in the flexible capture member based on one or more forces acting on the flexible capture member. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, including operating the anchor system to reel in the flexible capture member to remove slack from the flexible capture member after attaching the flexible capture member to the rotorcraft and prior to ascending the rotorcraft to the retrieval height. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, including operating the anchor system to maintain a threshold force acting on the flexible capture member from the anchor system, after attaching the flexible capture member to the rotorcraft. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, including operating the anchor system to pay out the flexible member responsive to an impact force on the flexible capture member caused by the fixed-wing aircraft. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, including extending the flexible capture member from a drum through a level wind system of the anchor system. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, including extending the flexible capture member from the anchor system through an aperture defined by the aircraft landing device. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, including centering the aircraft landing device on the retrieval location. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, including inflating the aircraft landing device prior to lowering the fixed-wing aircraft onto the aircraft landing device. ### Claim 10 A fixed-wing aircraft capturing system comprising: an aircraft landing device that defines a first receiving bore and a second receiving bore, wherein the aircraft landing device includes a bearing positioned proximate the first receiving bore; an anchor system positionable at a retrieval location; and a flexible capture member extendable from the anchor system through the first receiving bore and the second receiving bore of the aircraft landing device and couplable to a rotorcraft, wherein the bearing of the aircraft landing device is configured to contact the flexible capture member, wherein the flexible member is configured to intercept a fixed-wing aircraft, and wherein the aircraft landing device is configured to support the fixed-wing aircraft after it has been intercepted by the flexible capture member. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The system of claim 10, wherein the anchor system comprises a hydraulic system configured to payout and haul in the flexible capture member based on one or more forces acting on the flexible capture member. ### Claim 12 (depends on 10) The system of claim 10, wherein the flexible capture member comprises a compliant damping element. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The system of claim 12, wherein the compliant damping element is configured to reduce peak forces acting on the rotorcraft during the intercept of the fixed-wing aircraft via the flexible capture member. ### Claim 14 (depends on 10) The system of claim 10, wherein the flexible capture member is extendable from the anchor system through the aircraft landing device, such that the aircraft landing device is collocated with the anchor system at the retrieval location. ### Claim 15 (depends on 10) The system of claim 10, wherein the anchor system includes a drum and a level wind system. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The system of claim 15, wherein the flexible capture member is extendable from the drum through the level wind system. ### Claim 17 (depends on 10) The system of claim 10, wherein the aircraft landing device is inflatable. ### Claim 18 (depends on 10) The system of claim 10, wherein an upper surface of the aircraft landing device forms a cone shape. ### Claim 19 (depends on 17) The system of claim 17, wherein the aircraft landing device has an internal support to maintain height against the weight of the fixed-wing aircraft. ### Claim 20 (depends on 10) The system of claim 10, wherein the aircraft landing device includes legs that straddle the anchor system. ### Claim 21 (depends on 10) The system of claim 10, wherein the aircraft landing system includes at least one ballast weight to stabilize against side loads. ### Claim 22 (depends on 10) The system of claim 10, wherein payout tension is arranged to minimize forces on the rotorcraft during impact, but sufficiently high to prevent payout after the fixed-wing aircraft has been lowered to the aircraft landing device.