Remotely Controllable Aeronautical Ordnance

A method of delivering an explosive ordnance from a first altitude to a destination on or above a ground plane and avoiding collateral damage, the method including:

• a. providing an ordnance comprising:
• a tubular shaped body having first and second opposing end portions and an explosive component positioned therein;
• a plurality of blades connected to the body at or near the first end portion blades for rotation about the body under powered operation to impart thrust and bring the ordnance to a first altitude above a target position;
• a motor positioned within the tubular shaped body, connected to selectively provide the powered operation to impart the thrust and thereby provide propulsive lift to the ordnance via the blade rotation;
• an imaging device mounted along the second end portion to generate frames of image data representative of a view of a ground plane while the ordnance is airborne, where the imaging device acquires infrared or visible light images;
• first receiver circuitry configured to receive radio frequency (rf) control signals and coupled to effect operation of other components of the ordnance in response to the received signals;
• rf video transmission circuitry coupled to receive the frames of image data and transmit rf signals comprising a stream of the image data;
• b. providing a user controllable remote control device, positionable remote from the ordnance, comprising:
• (i) rf control circuitry that, responsive to user input, transmits control signals for a person to direct operation of the ordnance when flying and hovering;
• (ii) second receiver circuitry for receiving the stream of image data;
• and
• (iii) video processing circuitry that receives the image data from the rf circuitry and displays the image data on a screen where:
• when the ordnance is airborne above a ground plane,
• (i) the blades are positioned above the motor and are connected to the motor via a shaft for rotation about a central axis, and
• (ii) the imaging device is oriented to generate frames of image data representative of a view of a portion of the ground plane directly below the ordnance, the method further comprising:
• initiating the powered operation to impart the propulsive lift to the ordnance;
• based on displayed frames of the image data acquired with the imaging unit positioned on the ordnance, sending one or more first control signals from the remote control device to navigate movement of the ordnance to an airborne position above the target position;
• sending one or more second control signals from the remote control device to cause the ordnance to descend toward the target position, and
• detonating the explosive component.