Abstract: Manned or remotely piloted Vertical Takeoff and Landing (VTOL) aircraft is launched or retrieved from a capture drogue carried by an articulated boom. The capture drogue is stabilized in space for retrieval and launch and moves the aircraft to a platform while the drogue-aircraft are stabilized with respect to the platform.

Abstract: A traversing strut and housing system for securing and housing a helicopter aboard a ship. One or more telescoping housing sections are mounted on and movable along a track extending outward from a fixed section. A traverse strut assembly which permits only lateral movement is attached to the end movable section and secures the helicopter to the housing. Once thus secured, the helicopter is rotated to a preferred orientation then moved into its stored position.

Abstract: An aircraft take-off runway, especially a ship's flight desk, is provided with a terminal ramp that curves upward to launch the aircraft in a semi-ballistic trajectory. The ramp is so configured as to have a varying contour or profile, in longitudinal section, at different regions across it, such that the path up the ramp of wheels on the center line of the aircraft is different from the path of wheels off the center line, e.g. outrigger wheels, whereby a desired pitching moment is imparted to the aircraft at launch.

Abstract: A mobile aerial support system for use in support of ground operations comprises a helicopter and a mobile helicopter pad. The mobile pad consists of an open, drop-bed trailer adapted to bear and restrain the helicopter, a tractor adapted to pull the trailer with the helicopter mounted thereon, a four wheel drive vehicle adapted to be carried on the trailer adjacent said helicopter, an enclosure mounted on the trailer and tractor containing a complete workshop for maintenance and repair of the helicopter as well as a complete inventory of spare parts and accessories for the helicopter.