Maneuverable capture apparatus for airborne deployment and retrieval of parasite aircraft

1. A maneuverable capture device comprising:

a frame;

a plurality of rotors secured to the frame;

an attachment point disposed on the frame for securing a cable of a carrier aircraft to the frame; and

an attachment feature configured to secure the frame to a dock of a parasite aircraft, the attachment feature comprising a rod that extends from the frame such that at least a portion of the rod is forward of the plurality of rotors, the rod configured to mate with a housing of the dock.

2. The maneuverable capture device of claim 1 , wherein the rod is configured to enter an opening in the housing of the dock.

3. The maneuverable capture device of claim 1 , wherein the rod comprises a groove configured to interact with a ball-lock disposed within the housing to secure the rod to the dock.

4. The maneuverable capture device of claim 1 , wherein the attachment feature comprises a hook that extends from the frame, the hook configured to mate with a pin of the dock.

5. The maneuverable capture device of claim 1 , further comprising:

a pair of cross-supports attached to the frame; and

wherein the plurality of rotors comprises four rotors and each cross-support of the pair of cross-supports includes one rotor disposed at each end of the cross-support.

6. The maneuverable capture device of claim 1 , wherein each rotor of the plurality of rotors is configured to pivot relative to the frame to allow a direction of thrust of each rotor to be controlled.

7. The maneuverable capture device of claim 1 , further comprising a housing disposed on the frame.

8. The maneuverable capture device of claim 1 , further comprising a second attachment point for securing a cable of the carrier aircraft to the frame.

9. The maneuverable capture device of claim 1 , wherein the attachment feature comprises a hook that extends from the frame substantially perpendicularly to the rod, the hook configured to mate with a pin of the dock.

10. A method of docking a maneuverable capture device with a parasite aircraft, the method comprising:

positioning a carrier aircraft above the parasite aircraft;

releasing the maneuverable capture device from the carrier aircraft;

flying the maneuverable capture device to a dock of the parasite aircraft;

securing the maneuverable capture device to the dock of the parasite aircraft, wherein the securing comprising positioning a rod of the maneuverable capture device into a housing of the dock, and wherein the rod extends forward of a plurality of rotors of the maneuverable capture device; and

wherein the maneuverable capture device is attached to the carrier aircraft by a cable.

11. The method of claim 10 , further comprising letting out the cable from the carrier aircraft as the maneuverable capture device flies toward to the parasite aircraft.

12. The method of claim 10 , wherein the securing comprises positioning the rod of the maneuverable capture device into an opening in the housing of the dock.

13. The method of claim 10 , wherein the rod includes a groove that is configured to mate with a ball-lock disposed within the housing.

14. The method of claim 10 , wherein the securing comprises positioning a hook of the maneuverable capture device around a pin of the dock.

15. The method of claim 10 , wherein, during the positioning the carrier aircraft above the parasite aircraft, the parasite aircraft is positioned on a loading surface.

16. The method of claim 10 , wherein, during the positioning the carrier aircraft above the parasite aircraft, the parasite aircraft is in flight.

17. The method of claim 10 , wherein the flying the maneuverable capture device comprises pivoting the plurality of rotors of the maneuverable capture device to control a direction of thrust of the plurality of rotors.

18. A method of undocking a maneuverable capture device from a parasite aircraft, the method comprising:

releasing the maneuverable capture device from a dock of the parasite aircraft, the releasing comprising unlocking a rod of the maneuverable capture device, the rod extending forward of a plurality of rotors of the maneuverable capture device;

flying the maneuverable capture device away from the parasite aircraft; and

reeling in a cable secured between the maneuverable capture device and a carrier aircraft.

19. The method of claim 18 , wherein the releasing comprises unlocking a ball-lock from the rod of the maneuverable capture device.

20. The method of claim 18 , wherein the flying comprises pivoting the plurality of rotors of the maneuverable capture device to control a direction of thrust of the plurality of rotors.