United States of America As Represented by the Secretary of the Air Force

Grant Appel

Michael Anderson

Seth Konig

Hugh Briggs

William D Yates

Erin Leslie

Spencer Flint

Nathaniel Bowen

George Gardner

John Olson

Shawn Mathis

A spring loaded device for launching projectiles in a hostile environment. The device has an articulable launch assembly. The launch assembly has a spring loaded carriage for holding the projectile when loaded by an operator or a superjacent magazine. The carriage is retracted by a screw to a predetermined position based upon spring rate and the desired initial launch velocity and launch angle. Upon command or target acquisition a release mechanism releases the carriage for forward translation and launch of the projectile.

Variable payload launch device

A magazine for loading projectiles into a launch assembly by gravity feed. The magazine has a plurality blades radially extending from a central axis and defining a like plurality of compartments in an axially rotatable ring. The ring rests upon a stationary deck plate having a hole for gravity feed of the projectile into the launch assembly below. Projectiles having different fight characteristics are deposited into the compartments at a safe location, supported by the deck plate and the launch assembly with an associated device are transported to a hostile environment. A first projectile is launched by the launch assembly in a longitudinal direction. The launch assembly is retracted, automatically indexing the rotatable ring and dropping the next projectile through the hole and into the launch assembly for subsequent launch.

Variable payload magazine with automatic reload feature

A method of establishing a system for gathering surveillance data in a hostile environment. The method comprises the steps of providing a movable tractor for ground hauling a trailer, and providing a drone which can be operated independently from the tractor. The trailer has a floor pan for supporting a relay sensor dispensing mechanism and a platform above the floor pan, with a hole for dispensing relay sensors therethrough. The relay sensor dispensing mechanism has an elevator for holding a stockpile of relay sensors, and elevating the relay sensors through the hole. The method comprises disposing at least one relay sensor in the elevator, elevating the relay sensor to a pickup position at or above the platform and retrieving the relay sensor with a drone for subsequent deposition in the hostile environment. The relay sensor then gathers and transceives surveillance data for use and interpretation by an operator. Optional a conveyor chute may replenish the elevator when it is depleted of relay sensors.

Plural relay sensor method of delivery

A system for sending surveillance signals from a hostile environment to an operator. The system comprises an operably movable tractor for ground hauling a trailer and an independently operable drone. The trailer has an actuatable elevator for holding a stockpile of relay sensors and comprising a pair of co-acting elevator belts defining a chute therebetween. The elevator holds a stack of relay sensors for elevation to a pickup-position by the drone. Optionally a conveyor chute may replenish the stack of relay sensors in the elevator.

Plural relay sensor delivery system

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O'Fallon, IL, United States of America

Grant Appel