# US 11,897,609 B2 · Aircraft and method for intercepting an airborne target

> Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt

- Number: US 11,897,609 B2
- Document ID: US11897609B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 17/626,302
- Filed: 2020-06-18
- Published: 2022-08-25
- Granted: 2024-02-13
- Earliest claimed: 2019-07-18
- Assignees: BAE SYSTEMS plc
- Applicants: BAE Systems plc
- Inventors: Nicholas Giacomo Robert Colosimo
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11897609B2

## CPC

- B64C 37/02: Flying units formed by separate aircraft (towing B64D3/00; aircraft transported by aircraft B64D5/00; air-refuelling B64D39/00)
- B64D 5/00: Aircraft transported by aircraft, e.g. for release or reberthing during flight
- B64U 10/14: with four distinct rotor axes, e.g. quadcopters
- B64U 70/20: for releasing or capturing UAVs in flight by another aircraft
- B64U 2101/16: for controlling, capturing or immobilising other vehicles
- B64U 2201/10: autonomous, i.e. by navigating independently from ground or air stations, e.g. by using inertial navigation systems [INS]
- B64U 2201/20: Remote controls
- B64C: AEROPLANES; HELICOPTERS
- B64D: EQUIPMENT FOR FITTING IN OR TO AIRCRAFT; FLIGHT SUITS; PARACHUTES; ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF POWER PLANTS OR PROPULSION TRANSMISSIONS IN AIRCRAFT
- B64U: UNMANNED AERIAL VEHICLES [UAV]; EQUIPMENT THEREFOR

## Abstract

There is disclosed an aircraft for intercepting an airborne target, the aircraft comprising: a frame; a plurality of lines of a first type, each attached to the frame at a first end, and free at the other end; and a plurality of lines of a second, different, type, each attached to the frame at a first end, and free at the other end.

## Claims

### Claim 1

An aircraft for intercepting an airborne target, the aircraft comprising:
a frame;
a plurality of lines of a first type, each attached to the frame at a first end, and free at the other end; and
a plurality of lines of a second, different, type, each attached to the frame at a first end, and free at the other end;
wherein the frame comprises:
an inner member;
an outer member; and
interconnecting struts attaching the inner member to the outer member,
the first type of lines being attached to the inner member, and
the second type of lines being attached to the outer member.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The aircraft according to claim 1 wherein the outer member is a loop member, and the inner member is a loop member located within the outer member.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The aircraft according to claim 2 wherein each loop member has the form of an annular member.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The aircraft according to claim 1 wherein the outer member is at least two linear members and the inner member is at least one linear member, the inner member being arranged between the at least two outer members.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The aircraft according to claim 1, wherein the first type of lines are thinner than the second type of lines.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The aircraft according to claim 1, wherein each of the second type of lines comprises:
a flexible tubular member, having a wall and defining a bore, inner and outer diameters, and a circumference; and
a fluid adhesive housed within the flexible tubular member,
wherein the flexible tubular member is configured to express the fluid adhesive through the wall.

### Claim 7 (depends on 6)

The aircraft according to claim 6 wherein the flexible tubular member comprises:
a plurality of slits through the wall, which slits are configured to remain generally closed, but on deformation of the flexible tubular member can open to permit expression of the adhesive.

### Claim 8 (depends on 7)

The aircraft according to claim 7 wherein the slits follow a portion of the circumference of the tubular member.

### Claim 9 (depends on 6)

The aircraft according to claim 6 wherein the wall of the tubular member is in the form of a porous matrix such that the fluid adhesive may be urged to the outer diameter of the tubular member.

### Claim 10 (depends on 1)

The aircraft according to claim 1, wherein the aircraft is a rotorcraft.

### Claim 11 (depends on 1)

The aircraft according to claim 1, wherein the aircraft has a mass of 25 kg or less.

### Claim 12 (depends on 1)

The aircraft according to claim 1, wherein the aircraft is remotely or autonomously piloted.

### Claim 13

A method of intercepting an airborne target comprising:
providing an aircraft comprising:
a frame;
a plurality of lines of a first type, each attached to the frame; and
a plurality of lines of a second type, each attached to the frame, and
flying the aircraft over and across the airborne target such that the lines may attach to the airborne target.

### Claim 14 (depends on 13)

The method according to claim 13 further comprising, once the lines have attached the aircraft to the airborne target, removing the airborne target by flying the aircraft to a removal location.