Abstract: A tower stores unmanned aircraft and shipping containers inside. The unmanned aircraft are controlled by the tower's integrated computer to enable immediate distribution of the shipping containers upon a customer request. Upon a customer request, the tower autonomously dispatches the unmanned aircraft stored inside to rapidly fly out of the tower to deliver a shipping container directly to a specified location outside. Once dispatched by the tower's computer system, the unmanned aircraft autonomously fly from storage in the tower through the tower's interior space and exit the tower through internal shafts that lead to an opening in its exterior walls to deliver a shipping container cheaper and faster than traditional means.

Abstract: A small unmanned aircraft system is outfitted with a variety of sensors, and communications equipment to enable autonomous, remote exploration and mapping of spaces non line of sight (NLOS), and in the absence of global positioning signals.