Aerial arresting system for unmanned aerial vehicle

Abstract

A device launcher can be carried and be used to launch a device by an airborne UAV against an airborne or ground target. The target can be a moving target with the device configured to slow or disable the movement of the target. The device can be triggered manually or through an automated targeting system. The launch apparatus can be configured to launch a single device or a plurality of devices. The device launched against the target can be separated from the launch vehicle or tethered to the launch vehicle. The device can be a net that entangles the rotors of a rotor-driven vehicle. The device can include a parachute to retard movement of target vehicle whether it is falling or if it continues to move. A method of patrolling a perimeter with an airborne vehicle includes the steps of moving the airborne vehicle within the perimeter to sense unauthorized targets and launching a device against those sensed targets.

1 . An airborne vehicle and launch device comprising:
 an airborne vehicle;   a launch device carried by the airborne vehicle; and   the launch device carrying at least one device that can be launched by the launch device away from the vehicle; the device being a net.   
     
     
         2 . The vehicle and launch device of  claim 1 , wherein the launch device is selectively repositionable with respect to the vehicle so that it can be aimed. 
     
     
         3 . The vehicle and launch device of  claim 1 , wherein the launch device is an unmanned vehicle. 
     
     
         4 . The vehicle and launch device of  claim 1 , further comprising a sensor that provides data related to the target. 
     
     
         5 - 8 . (canceled) 
     
     
         9 . The vehicle and launch device of  claim 1 , wherein the launch device carries a plurality of nets. 
     
     
         10 - 19 . (canceled) 
     
     
         20 . The vehicle and launch device of  claim 1 , wherein the net is tethered to the vehicle. 
     
     
         21 . The vehicle and launch device of  claim 1 , wherein the net can be launched by at least one of a manual system, through a remote controlled system, and an autopilot system. 
     
     
         22 . The vehicle and launch device of  claim 1 , further comprising an aerodynamic retardation system connected to the net. 
     
     
         23 . An airborne vehicle and launch device comprising:
 an airborne vehicle;   a launch device carried by the airborne vehicle; and   the launch device carrying a plurality of nets that can be selectively launched by the launch device away from the vehicle.   
     
     
         24 . The vehicle and launch device of  claim 23 , wherein the plurality of nets are stacked within a net container. 
     
     
         25 . The vehicle and launch device of  claim 24 , further comprising a net separation disc disposed between the stacked nets. 
     
     
         26 . The vehicle and launch device of  claim 23 , wherein each net is connected to a plurality of weights. 
     
     
         27 . The vehicle and launch device of  claim 23 , wherein the launch device carries the plurality of net assemblies carried by a selectively movable block. 
     
     
         28 . The vehicle and launch device of  claim 23 , wherein the launch device includes a housing that defines a chamber that holds compressed gas used to launch the nets. 
     
     
         29 . The vehicle and launch device of  claim 28 , further comprising a canister of compressed gas connected to the housing. 
     
     
         30 . The vehicle and launch device of  claim 28 , further comprising a recharging valve connected to the housing that allows the chamber to be filled with compressed gas. 
     
     
         31 . The vehicle and launch device of  claim 29 , further comprising an electronically-controller valve that can be opened to deliver compressed gas from the chamber of the housing to weights connected to one of the nets. 
     
     
         32 . The vehicle and launch device of  claim 31 , further comprising a gas distribution block that evenly distributes the compressed gas from the electronically-controlled valve to the weights. 
     
     
         33 . The vehicle and launch device of  claim 32 , wherein the gas distribution block is selectively movable with respect to the housing.