System and method for multiple aircraft lifting a common payload

摘要

A system and method are provided for controlling a plurality of aircraft to lift a common payload. The system comprises of multiple aircraft tethered to a common payload, where the group of aircraft form a swarm that is controlled by a pilot station. Each aircraft is autonomously stabilized and guided through a swarm avionics unit, which further includes sensor, communication, and processing hardware. At the pilot station, a pilot remotely enters payload destinations, which is processed and communicated to each aircraft. The method for controlling a multi-aircraft lifting system includes of inputting the desired location of the payload, and determining a series of intermediary payload waypoints. Next, these payload waypoints are used by the swarm waypoint controller to generate individual waypoints for each aircraft. A flight controller for each aircraft moves the aircraft to these individual waypoints.

主权项

1. A computing system configured for use in controlling a plurality of aircraft attached to a common payload, the plurality of aircraft configured to lift the common payload, the computing system comprising:
a transceiver configured to receive data about at least one of said common payload and said plurality of aircraft; and a processor, in communication with said transceiver, configured to compute a path for said common payload towards a desired payload destination, configured to use said path and a current payload state to compute a desired payload state, and configured to use said current payload state and said desired payload state to compute a respective desired state for each one of said plurality of aircraft to transport said common payload along said path.