SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR RECOVERING AND CONTROLLING POST-RECOVERY MOTION OF UNMANNED AIRCRAFT

摘要

Systems and methods for recovering unmanned aircraft and controlling post-recovery motion of the aircraft are disclosed herein. An aircraft recovery system for handling an unmanned aircraft in accordance with one embodiment of the disclosure includes a base portion (102) and an elongated aircraft capture member (104) having a first end movably coupled (106) to the base portion and a second, free end opposite the first end. The aircraft capture member includes a first portion (110) and a second portion (112) at a distal end of the first portion and positioned to intercept an unmanned aircraft in flight. The first and/or second portions are generally flexible. The system further includes an energy capture and dissipation assembly (108) operably coupled to the aircraft capture member and positioned to receive at least a portion of the landing forces from the aircraft.