Abstract: A mission pod configured to be carried by a UAV or other aerial vehicle and accompanying systems and methods to allow the unattended accomplishment of diverse mission types is described. The mission pod having means for communication between the pod and UAV, mechanisms for removably attaching the pod to, and detaching the pod from, the UAV without the intervention of ground crew, mechanisms for facilitating power, fuel, and/or data transfer between the pod and UAV, means for securing various mission components within the pod, and pod configurations supporting various sensing modalities and other mission requirements.

Abstract: The invention relates, generally, to systems and methods for optimizing the performance of an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) by optimizing the UAV's drivetrain, extending the UAV's battery life; by monitoring and reporting on payload imbalance or overweight conditions; and by improving the aerodynamics and streamlining of certain drag-producing elements.

Abstract: A mission pod configured to be carried by a UAV or other aerial vehicle and accompanying systems and methods to allow the unattended accomplishment of diverse mission types is described. The mission pod having means for communication between the pod and UAV, mechanisms for removably attaching the pod to, and detaching the pod from, the UAV without the intervention of ground crew, mechanisms for facilitating power, fuel, and/or data transfer between the pod and UAV, means for securing various mission components within the pod, and pod configurations supporting various sensing modalities and other mission requirements.

Abstract: The invention relates, generally, to systems and methods for optimizing the performance of an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) by optimizing the UAV's drivetrain, extending the UAV's battery life; by monitoring and reporting on payload imbalance or overweight conditions; and by improving the aerodynamics and streamlining of certain drag-producing elements.

Abstract: A modular vehicle management system is described, comprising a controller module configured to control different types of carrier modules. The controller module includes a computer system and optionally one or more sensors. The computer system is configured to perform operations comprising detecting whether a carrier module is connected to the controller module. If the carrier module is connected to the controller module, the carrier module is authenticated. If the authentication fails, operation of the vehicle is inhibited. The control module is configured to determine carrier module capabilities including information regarding a navigation processing device, and/or a radio modem. The controller adapts to the capabilities of the controller module. Using information from the sensors and the navigation processing device, the vehicle management system navigates the vehicle.

Abstract: A modular vehicle management system is described, comprising a controller module configured to control different types of carrier modules. The controller module includes a computer system and optionally one or more sensors. The computer system is configured to perform operations comprising detecting whether a carrier module is connected to the controller module. If the carrier module is connected to the controller module, the carrier module is authenticated. If the authentication fails, operation of the vehicle is inhibited. The control module is configured to determine carrier module capabilities including information regarding a navigation processing device, and/or a radio modem. The controller adapts to the capabilities of the controller module. Using information from the sensors and the navigation processing device, the vehicle management system navigates the vehicle.