Abstract: A system and method is provided for controlling a suspended load comprising an aircraft, an apparatus at the aircraft comprising a winch adapted to deploy and retrieve a tether attached to the load. A stabilizer may be connected to the tether, the tether stabilizer including at least lateral thrust capability and sensors and control circuitry. In this embodiment, the control circuitry communicates with the aircraft, winch and stabilizer to translate the load attached to the tether and the aircraft is maneuvered at an altitude and airspeed in which the load is enabled to descend, ascend and translate laterally, by any of controlling a length of the tether with the winch, altering the path and speed of the aircraft and controlling the lateral thrust of the stabilizer.

Abstract: A stabilizing system for a cable has a cable deployed and suspended from a helicopter, a cargo support attached at a deployed end of the cable, an end effector attached to the cable, the end effector comprising thrusters directed in a plurality of directions orthogonal to a vertical axis of the cable, first control circuitry in the helicopter, and second control circuitry in the end effector. Thrust of individual thrusters is controlled through the first and second control circuitry maintaining the axis of the cable vertical, damping swinging of the cable.

Abstract: A satellite refueling system has a refueling satellite carrying fuel, a fuel hose connected to the fuel carried by the refueling satellite, with a maneuverable end effector at a deployed end of the fuel hose, the end effector comprising a fuel supply nozzle connected to the fuel hose, a plurality of thrusters on the end effector providing thrust in a plurality of directions, an imaging device on the end effector capturing images in an immediate environment of the end effector, and computerized circuitry operating individual ones of the plurality of thrusters in response to the images captured by the imaging device. The refueling satellite deploys the fuel hose, and the computerized circuitry operates the thrusters to maneuver the end effector, bringing the fuel supply nozzle to a location to deliver fuel.

Abstract: A method for extracting a rescue subject from a surface position includes lowering a rescue pod having an enclosed compartment with a door from an aircraft, the rescue pod having a parachute and a control system, the rescue pod connected by a tether to a winch in the aircraft, controllably releasing the tether from the winch while maneuvering the aircraft into an orbit at altitude, diameter and airspeed, creating a gravity well in which the tether describes a spiral configuration with the pod descending along a vertical centerline, lowering the pod to the surface position, loading the rescue subject into the enclosed compartment, and lifting the rescue pod from the surface position by retrieving the tether with the winch or altering the path and speed of the aircraft, in a manner to gradually increase tension in the tether lifting the rescue pod from the ground point.

Abstract: A method for extracting a rescue subject from a surface position includes lowering a rescue pod having an enclosed compartment with a door from an aircraft, the rescue pod having a parachute and a control system, the rescue pod connected by a tether to a winch in the aircraft, controllably releasing the tether from the winch while maneuvering the aircraft into an orbit at altitude, diameter and airspeed, creating a gravity well in which the tether describes a spiral configuration with the pod descending along a vertical centerline, lowering the pod to the surface position, loading the rescue subject into the enclosed compartment, and lifting the rescue pod from the surface position by retrieving the tether with the winch or altering the path and speed of the aircraft, in a manner to gradually increase tension in the tether lifting the rescue pod from the ground point.

Abstract: A method for extracting a rescue subject from a surface position includes lowering a rescue pod having an enclosed compartment with a door from an aircraft, the rescue pod having a parachute and a control system, the rescue pod connected by a tether to a winch in the aircraft, controllably releasing the tether from the winch while maneuvering the aircraft into an orbit at altitude, diameter and airspeed, creating a gravity well in which the tether describes a spiral configuration with the pod descending along a vertical centerline, lowering the pod to the surface position, loading the rescue subject into the enclosed compartment, and lifting the rescue pod from the surface position by retrieving the tether with the winch or altering the path and speed of the aircraft, in a manner to gradually increase tension in the tether lifting the rescue pod from the ground point.

Abstract: A satellite refueling system has a refueling satellite carrying fuel, a fuel hose connected to the fuel carried by the refueling satellite, with a maneuverable end effector at a deployed end of the fuel hose, the end effector comprising a fuel supply nozzle connected to the fuel hose, a plurality of thrusters on the end effector providing thrust in a plurality of directions, an imaging device on the end effector capturing images in an immediate environment of the end effector, and computerized circuitry operating individual ones of the plurality of thrusters in response to the images captured by the imaging device. The refueling satellite deploys the fuel hose, and the computerized circuitry operates the thrusters to maneuver the end effector, bringing the fuel supply nozzle to a location to deliver fuel.

Abstract: A refueling system has a vehicle having a fuel tank connected to a deployable fuel hose, an end effector having controlled flight, the fuel hose connected at an end away from the first vehicle, through the end effector to a fuel connector under the end effector, a second vehicle having a fuel tank coupled through a pumping apparatus to a fueling port on an acquisition apparatus adapted to acquire the end effector and connect the fueling port and the fuel connector of the end effector, and control circuitry enabling controlled flight of the end effector, wherein the end effector is controlled to be acquired by the acquisition apparatus to couple the fuel connector with the fueling port and fuel is provided from the fuel tank of one of the vehicles to the fuel tank of the other of the vehicles through the pumping apparatus.

Abstract: A stabilizing system for a cable has a cable deployed and suspended from a helicopter, a cargo support attached at a deployed end of the cable, an end effector attached to the cable, the end effector comprising thrusters directed in a plurality of directions orthogonal to a vertical axis of the cable, first control circuitry in the helicopter, and second control circuitry in the end effector. Thrust of individual thrusters is controlled through the first and second control circuitry maintaining the axis of the cable vertical, damping swinging of the cable.

Abstract: A system for refueling has a boom having a rigid portion and, extendible portion and a fuel nozzle at an end of the extendible portion, the fuel nozzle mates with a port on an aircraft. Control circuitry in the tanker aircraft has input elements by which an operator controls actuators moving the boom left, right and up and down, and a first imaging device proximate the end of the extendible portion of the boom, capturing images and transmitting the captured images to the control circuitry, where the images are displayed on a monitor visible to the operator. The operator controls extension and attitude of the fuel nozzle at the end of the extendible portion, according to the images displayed, mating the fuel nozzle with the refueling port, and transferring fuel from the tanker aircraft to the aircraft to be refueled.

Abstract: A system for fighting fires has a source of fire-retardant material, a delivery hose connected to the source has a delivery nozzle at an end, and an end effector carrying the delivery hose proximate the nozzle. The end effector has controllable thrusters, an imaging device, and control circuitry including a display monitor, the control circuitry providing commands controlling actuators varying thrust and direction of the thrusters, and a valve in the delivery nozzle. With the delivery hose deployed, images from the end effector are transmitted to the control circuitry and displayed on the display monitor, and an operator viewing the images on the display monitor uses the command inputs to maneuver the end effector, carrying the nozzle at the end of the delivery hose to a position proximate an active fire, and opens the valve on the nozzle, delivering fire retardant material from the nozzle onto the fire.

Abstract: A refueling system has a vehicle having a fuel tank connected to a deployable fuel hose, an end effector having controlled flight, the fuel hose connected at an end away from the first vehicle, through the end effector to a fuel connector under the end effector, a second vehicle having a fuel tank coupled through a pumping apparatus to a fueling port on an acquisition apparatus adapted to acquire the end effector and connect the fueling port and the fuel connector of the end effector, and control circuitry enabling controlled flight of the end effector, wherein the end effector is controlled to be acquired by the acquisition apparatus to couple the fuel connector with the fueling port and fuel is provided from the fuel tank of one of the vehicles to the fuel tank of the other of the vehicles through the pumping apparatus.

Abstract: An imaging system has a tether sub-system deployable and retrievable from an aircraft, an imaging device attached at a deployable end of the tether, and control apparatus comprising control and communication circuitry receiving images captured by the imaging apparatus and storing the images. The tether is deployed to a predetermined length, the aircraft is piloted in a flight pattern causing the imaging device at the deployed end of the tether to attain a fixed position proximate an imaging target, and the control apparatus is operated to capture images of the target.

Abstract: An ordnance delivery system has a cable deployable by a winch from an aircraft, an end effector comprising controllable thrusters attached at a deployed end of the cable, first control circuitry in the end effector and second control circuitry in the aircraft, the first and second control circuitry in communication, an ordinance delivery region in the end effector carrying ordnance for delivery on a target, and a release mechanism by which the ordnance is released to fall on the target. The aircraft is piloted to a position over a target, the end effector is controlled to position more accurately over the target; and the release mechanism is activated, releasing the ordnance to fall on the target.

Abstract: A system for delivering objects from a fixed-wing aircraft has a first tether having a connector on a deployed end, an anchor apparatus fixed to a point on the ground, a slide ring assembled over the first tether, a drag line connected to the slide ring by one end, and a drag-producing device connected to at a second end, and an object carrying apparatus connected by a support line. The aircraft is flown at an altitude in an orbit at a diameter and a speed such that the deployed first tether assumes a spiral pattern. An object is placed in the object-carrying apparatus and released from the aircraft, with the slide ring guiding along the first tether, and the drag-producing element slows descent of the object in the carrying apparatus in the spiral pattern until the object reaches the ground, where the object is removed from the object-carrying apparatus.

Abstract: A personnel rescue system has a winch subsystem comprising a first tether deployable and retrievable with a powered winch, a powered and controllable end effector attached at a deployable end of the first tether, a second tether attached by a first end to the end effector, a personnel harness attached at a second end of the second tether; and control apparatus in communication with the end effector, the control apparatus operable to maneuver the end effector vertically and laterally, carrying the personnel harness to a subject to be rescued.

Abstract: A data delivery system has a tether deployable from an aircraft having a first data repository, a transmission pod at a deployed end of the tether, the transmission pod having first wireless communication circuitry, a communication conductor in parallel with the tether connecting the data repository in the aircraft with the first wireless communication circuitry in the transmission pod, and a receiving station on ground surface having a receiving antenna, second wireless communication circuitry compatible with the first wireless communication circuitry in the transmission pod, and a second data repository. The tether is deployed from the aircraft in a manner to position the transmission pod stationary proximate the receiving station antenna, and data is downloaded from the data repository in the aircraft to the data repository in the receiving station via the communication conductor and the wireless communication circuitry in the transmission pod.

Abstract: A satellite refueling system has a refueling satellite carrying fuel, a fuel hose connected to the fuel carried by the refueling satellite, with a maneuverable end effector at a deployed end of the fuel hose, the end effector comprising a fuel supply nozzle connected to the fuel hose, a plurality of thrusters on the end effector providing thrust in a plurality of directions, an imaging device on the end effector capturing images in an immediate environment of the end effector, and computerized circuitry operating individual ones of the plurality of thrusters in response to the images captured by the imaging device. The refueling satellite deploys the fuel hose, and the computerized circuitry operates the thrusters to maneuver the end effector, bringing the fuel supply nozzle to a location to deliver fuel.

Abstract: A stabilizing system for a winch cable has a winch cable deployed and suspended from a helicopter, a cargo support attached at a deployed end of the winch cable, an end effector attached to the winch cable, the end effector comprising thrusters directed in a plurality of directions orthogonal to a vertical axis of the winch cable, first control circuitry in the helicopter, and second control circuitry in the end effector. Thrust of individual thrusters is controlled through the first and second control circuitry maintaining the axis of the winch cable vertical, damping swinging of the cable.

Abstract: A system delivering fire retardant materials in fighting a surface fire is provided, having an aircraft carrying the fire-retardant material, a hose deployable from the aircraft, the delivery hose connected to the reservoir and having a controllable nozzle at a deployed end with a remotely operable valve, an end effector connected by a multi-axis gimbal at the deployed end of the delivery hose the end effector having fixed wings with ailerons and elevators, and a rudder, the ailerons, elevators and rudder moved by electrical actuators, and control apparatus and circuitry in the aircraft and the end effector enabling an operator in manipulating the ailerons, elevators and the rudder. An operative in the aircraft controls the end effector via the control apparatus to fly at a lower altitude and in a different path than the aircraft, and opens the remotely operable valve to deliver the fire-retardant material from the delivery hose.