An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) 1 of the vertical take-off and landing (VTOL)-type that can be launched from a launcher tube 2 is provided. A launcher 2 for launching the UAV 1 is also provided. The UAV 1 comprises a housing 10 and a transition mechanism 100 for transitioning the UAV 1 between a collapsed configuration for stowing the UAV 1 in a launcher tube 21 and a flight configuration. The housing 10 and the transition mechanism 100 are configured so that one or more rotors 12a-d that, in use, are connected to the transition mechanism 100 are located substantially within the housing 10 in the collapsed configuration and outside the housing 10 in the flight configuration. The launcher 2 comprises a hollow tube 21 for receiving a UAV 1 in a collapsed configuration and a trigger mechanism 26 for triggering a propulsion mechanism for propelling the UAV 1 out of an end of the hollow tube 21. A system comprising both the UAV 1 and the launcher 2, and a kit of part which, when assembled, provide the UAV 1 are also provided.
Tube-launched unmanned aerial vehicle
2022-11-23
Patent
Elektronische Ressource
Englisch