CPC B64D 1/02 (2013.01) [B64C 39/024 (2013.01); B64D 5/00 (2013.01); B64U 80/82 (2023.01)] | 12 Claims |
1. An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) release apparatus, comprising:
a payload bay, comprising:
a baseplate having a rectangular body section and two opposing end plates, wherein said rectangular body section has an upper surface, a lower surface, four exterior side surfaces, and four interior side surfaces, wherein each of said two opposing end plates perpendicularly extends up from said upper surface at a different short end of said rectangular body section;
a lip portion in said rectangular body section, said lip portion having a recessed shelf with countersunk surface, said recessed shelf with countersunk surface positioned peripherally around said rectangular body section; and
a radio frequency (RF)-transparent bay cover releasingly-attached to said recessed shelf with countersunk surface;
said RF-transparent bay cover having an opening so dimensioned for an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) to jettison from said payload bay;
a payload bay door mechanism attached to said payload bay, wherein said payload bay door mechanism having two internally opening doors configured to seal said opening in said RF-transparent bay cover, said two internally opening doors configured to open by rotating internally inside said payload bay;
a rack and release system attached inside said payload bay, wherein said rack and release system is configured to retain said UAV inside said payload bay;
wherein said UAV is housed inside of said payload bay and attached to said rack and release system;
wherein said rack and release system is configured to eject said UAV from said payload bay after said payload bay door mechanism is opened; and
an electronic control stack located in said payload bay, wherein said electronic control stack is configured for command and control of said UAV after ejection from said payload bay.
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