Aircraft deployment and retrieval of unmanned aerial vehicles

An Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) deployment and retrieval system comprising:

• an aircraft having
• a grappling device, and
• a carousel adapted to receive and store a plurality of UAVs and positionable for deployment of a selected UAV,
• each UAV in said plurality of UAVs having
• a hooking device adapted for engagement by the grappling device;
• a mission controller receiving a mission requirement and selecting a respective one of said plurality of UAVs;
• a carousel controller responsive to the mission controller for aligning the respective one UAV for deployment;
• and,
• a grappling device controller responsive to the mission controller for retrieving a UAV with the grappling device said grappling device having
• a first gripper operatively attached to a first actuator;
• a second gripper operatively attached to a second actuator independent from the first actuator, the first gripper and the second gripper being operatively attached and configured to move about a common pivot point between an open and a closed position, the first gripper and the second gripper being configured to pivot together to change a capture angle;
• and further wherein the grappling device controller is configured to receive a command from the mission controller, operating the first and second actuators in response to the command to selectively open and close the first and second grippers of the grappling device, the controller being configured to receive a second command, to operate the first and second actuators with asymmetric extension to pivot the grippers about the pivot point and provide grappling at a range of capture angles.