Micro-unmanned aerial vehicle deployment system
AssigneeThe United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
InventorPaul J. Carreiro
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A micro-unmanned aerial vehicle deployment system is provided for a cruise missile having submunition compartments. The system includes a vehicle launch module releasable from the cruise missile submunition compartment. The vehicle launch system has a control circuit and at least one micro-unmanned aerial vehicle contained therein. Structure is provided in the launch module for deploying the micro-unmanned aerial vehicle. A separable tether can be joined between the cruise missile and the vehicle launch module that separates when subjected to tension after deployment of the vehicle launch module.
Claims12
A micro-unmanned aerial vehicle deployment system for a cruise missile having submunition compartments therein, said system comprising:
- a vehicle launch module positionable in one said submunition compartment of said cruise missile and deployable from said cruise missile;
- a control circuit positioned in said vehicle launch module;
- at least two micro-unmanned aerial vehicles stacked in said vehicle launch module such that the bottom surface of at least one micro-unmanned vehicle is proximate the top surface of at least one other vehicle, said micro-unmanned vehicles being oriented in the same direction, said micro-unmanned aerial vehicles each having a propulsion means and wings fully configured for flight;
- a micro-unmanned vehicle deployment means joined to said control circuit and positioned to deploy at least one micro-unmanned aerial vehicle;
- and
- releasable means attachable between said vehicle launch module and said cruise missile.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.