초록 ▼

Manned or remotely piloted Vertical Takeoff and Landing (VTOL) aircraft is launched or retrieved from a capture drogue carried by an articulated boom. The capture drogue is stabilized in space for retrieval and launch and moves the aircraft to a platform while the drogue-aircraft are stabilized with

Manned or remotely piloted Vertical Takeoff and Landing (VTOL) aircraft is launched or retrieved from a capture drogue carried by an articulated boom. The capture drogue is stabilized in space for retrieval and launch and moves the aircraft to a platform while the drogue-aircraft are stabilized with respect to the platform.

대표청구항 ▼

A handling system for VTOL aircraft comprising: platform means for holding said aircraft; articulatible boom means including a pair of arm elements having a capture drogue at the free end thereof for said aircraft; control means for moving said boom means between a catching position wherein said dro

A handling system for VTOL aircraft comprising: platform means for holding said aircraft; articulatible boom means including a pair of arm elements having a capture drogue at the free end thereof for said aircraft; control means for moving said boom means between a catching position wherein said drogue is stabilized with respect to free space and a landing position wherein said drogue is stabilized with respect to said platform and said aircraft is positioned on said platform, said control system including input means comprising rate and/or acceleration sensors mounted on said capture drogue; position sensors for measuring the relative angles between said arm elements and said platform means and between said arm elements and said drogue; output means comprising actuators for moving said arm elements and drogue, and automatic stabilization and control means for operating said output means in response to said input means; said boom means and drogue being operative to guide said aircraft between said positions while said aircraft is supported by its engine thrust.