Apparatus and method for launch and recovery of an unmanned aerial vehicle

1. An apparatus for launch and recovery of an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV), the apparatus comprising:

a boom having a center member for receiving the UAV, and first and second arm members extending outwardly and upwardly from the center member;

lifting means attached to the first and second arm members for lifting the UAV to a predetermined height; and

a towline configured to be attached to the boom at one end and to a reference point at the other end for restraining the UAV to the reference point;

wherein the center member comprises a capturing mechanism for aerial recovery of the UAV;

wherein the boom is configured to be lifted to the predetermined height into the air from the reference point; and

wherein the boom is movable in the air to an operating position forward of the reference point.

2. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the center member comprises a releasable fastener for attaching the UAV to the boom and releasing the UAV for aerial launch.

3. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the capturing mechanism comprises a latch configured to receive a line attached to the UAV.

4. The apparatus as claimed in claim 3 , wherein the latch comprises a biasing member configured to retain the line within the latch.

5. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1 , further comprising first and second visual indicators attached to respective ends of the first and second arm members.

6. The apparatus as claimed in claim 5 , wherein each visual indicator is rotatable about the respective end for aligning the visual indicator with a wind direction.

7. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the center member and first and second arm members form a shape selected from a group consisting of a V-shape, a U-shape, a curve, and an arc.

8. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the lifting means comprise lighter-than-air balloons.

9. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1 , further comprising a winch disposed at the reference point for releasing or retracting the towline.

10. A method for recovering a UAV using the apparatus as claimed in claim 1 , the method comprising the steps of:

lifting the boom of the apparatus to the predetermined height;

controlling the UAV to fly toward the boom between the two arm members of the boom; and

capturing the UAV using the boom.

11. The method as claimed in claim 10 , wherein the step of controlling the UAV to fly toward the boom between the two arm members of the boom comprises:

controlling the UAV to fly at a level higher than the boom;

positioning the UAV based on at least one of a Global Positioning System (GPS) signal and a visual indicator.

12. The method as claimed in claim 10 , wherein the step of capturing the UAV using the boom comprises:

releasing a line from the UAV, the line being attached to the UAV at one end;

capturing the line using a capturing mechanism disposed on the boom; and

decelerating the UAV.

13. The method as claimed in claim 12 , wherein the step of releasing the line from the UAV comprises releasing the line having a weight attached to the other end of the line.

14. The method as claimed in claim 13 , wherein the step of decelerating the UAV comprises:

stopping the weight at the capturing mechanism, the UAV being forward of the reference point; and

stopping an engine of the UAV based on a tension in the line connecting the UAV and the weight.

15. The method as claimed in claim 14 , further comprising:

deploying a parachute from the UAV after stopping the engine of the UAV; and

retracting a towline attached to the boom to collect the UAV.

16. A kit of parts for launch and recovery of an UAV, the kit comprising:

the apparatus as claimed in claim 1 ;

lifting means adapted to be attached to the boom of the apparatus; and

a towline adapted to be attached to the boom at one end and to a reference point at the other end.

17. A method for launching a UAV using the apparatus as claimed in claim 1 , the method comprising the steps of:

attaching the UAV to the boom of the apparatus;

lifting the boom to the predetermined height;

starting an engine of the UAV for moving the UAV to the operating position forward of the reference point; and

detaching the UAV from the boom.

18. The method as claimed in claim 17 , wherein the step of lifting the boom to the predetermined height comprises:

attaching lighter-than-air balloons to the boom for lifting the boom into the air;

attaching a towline to the boom for restraining the boom to the reference point.