Launch and/or recovery for unmanned aircraft and/or other payloads, including via parachute-assist, and associated systems and methods

An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) system, comprising:

• a carriage track;
• a carriage movable along the carriage track and configured to releasably support a UAV;
• and
• a driver coupled to the carriage to propel the carriage along the carriage track.

A system for lofting a payload, comprising;

• a lifting device carrying a stowed parachute and a pulley depending from the parachute;
• a tension device;
• and
• a flexible line operably coupled between the tension device and the payload, the flexible line passing around the pulley.

A method for lofting a payload, comprising:

• directing a lifting device upward;
• releasing a parachute from the lifting device, the parachute carrying a pully and a flexible line passing around the pully, the flexible line being connected between a tension device and the payload;
• and
• activating the tension device to reel in the flexible line and accelerate the payload upwardly.