The Boeing Company

Jacob R Irwin

Ryan L Hupp

James Louis Paunicka

Alexander David Lee

John Michael Mern

Presently disclosed systems and methods are configured for in-flight retrieval of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). Such systems generally include a retrieval ramp, a tether system including a tether, and a capture connector. The retrieval ramp is configured to be moved between a stowed configuration and an extended configuration, in which at least a portion of the retrieval ramp is positioned outside the aircraft for retrieval of the UAV. The tether system is moveable to a capture configuration, in which a terminal tether end of the tether is positioned beyond a terminal end of the retrieval ramp, typically outside of turbulence generated by the aircraft. The system is configured to position the retrieval ramp, the tether system, and the capture connector in order to engage the UAV with the capture connector. Once captured, the system may move the UAV into the aircraft as the tether is retracted towards a retracted configuration.

Systems and methods for in-flight retrieval of unmanned aerial vehicles

Methods, apparatuses and systems are disclosed relating to maintaining an outer mold line of a vehicle after a payload is deployed from the vehicle, and providing a low-force non-frangible method of deploying a payload from a vehicle.

Growing community of inventors

St. Peters, MO, United States of America

Jacob R Irwin