Apparatus and method for launch and recovery of an unmanned aerial vehicle
AssigneeSingapore Technologies Aerospace Ltd.
InventorsXujian CHEN, Leon Choon Seng TAN, Chian Poh LAM
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An apparatus for launch and recovery of an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV), a method for launching a UAV, a method for recovering a UAV and a kit of parts for launch and recovery of a UAV. The apparatus comprises a boom having a center member for receiving the UAV, and first and second arm members extending outwardly and upwardly from the center member, wherein the boom is configured to be lifted to a predetermined height into the air from a reference point; and wherein the boom is movable in the air to an operating position forward of the reference point.
Claims21
An apparatus for launch and recovery of an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV), the apparatus comprising:
- a boom having a center member for receiving the UAV, and first and second arm members extending outwardly and upwardly from the center member,
- wherein the boom is configured to be lifted to a predetermined height into the air from a reference point;
- and
- wherein the boom is movable in the air to an operating position forward of the reference point.
The apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, further comprising first and second visual indicators attached to respective ends of the first and second arm members.
The apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the center member and first and second arm members form a shape selected from a group consisting of a V-shape, a U-shape, a curve, and an arc.
The apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, further comprising lifting means attached to the first and second arm members for lifting the UAV to the predetermined height.
The apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a towline configured to be attached to the boom at one end and to the reference point at the other end for restraining the UAV to the reference point.
A method for launching a UAV, the method comprising the steps of:
- attaching the UAV to the boom of the apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims;
- lifting the boom to the predetermined height;
- starting an engine of the UAV for moving the UAV to the operating position forward of the reference point;
- and
- detaching the UAV from the boom.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.