Philip M Torrence

US Patent:

8439301, May 14, 2013

Filed:

Jul 18, 2012

Appl. No.:

13/552591

Inventors:

David A. Lussier - Exeter RI, US
Andrew J. Delisle - Tiverton RI, US
Philip M. Torrence - West Warwick RI, US

Assignee:

Systems Engineering Associates Corporation - Middletown RI

International Classification:

B64F 1/04

US Classification:

244 63, 89 1813, 89 1814

Abstract:

An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) system provides for UAV deployment and remote, unattended operation with reduced logistics requirements. The system includes a launcher that can include one or more launch tubes, each launch tube configured to house a UAV in a canister and one or more gas generators operatively connected to each canister and configured to push the UAV out of the launch tube by releasing gas into the canister. A controller for activating the gas generators can sequentially, and with a predetermined time delay, expel the UAV with a desired velocity and acceleration. The system further includes a UAV recovery device, a power supply, a security subsystem, a command and control subsystem and a communications subsystem. Command, control and communications can be provided between a remote station and the UAV.