Robotically assisted launch/capture platform for an unmanned air vehicle

A launch/capture platform for an unmanned air vehicle (UAV), comprising:

• a frame having a pair of arm members each extending from a base member and each having a free end;
• a floor attached to the frame capable of supporting the UAV;
• a UAV acquisition and tracking sensor cooperatively engaged with the platform;
• an arresting wire system adapted to provide UAV launching and capturing support cooperatively engaged with the platform, including an arresting wire, a motor, a strain sensor and a plurality of drag controllers, wherein a variable portion of the arresting wire extends between the free ends of the arm members;
• a controllable connector cooperatively engaging the platform to an external support structure, having a range of motion controlled by a feedback signal supplied by the acquisition and tracking sensor;
• and
• a locking-down mechanism adapted to secure the UAV between the capture condition and the launch condition.

A method for capturing a small, in-flight UAV, comprising:

• providing a UAV capture platform;
• providing a UAV capturing means as an integrated component of the platform;
• providing means for determining in real-time the relative location of an engaging portion of the capturing means with respect to an approaching in-flight UAV;
• providing means for automatically maneuvering the engaging portion of the capturing means with respect to at least one of a position and an attitude of the approaching in-flight UAV;
• capturing the UAV;
• and
• securing the captured UAV to the capture platform.