Oct 13, 2026

US12761006 - Unmanned vehicle with multiple payload platforms

An unmanned vehicle and a method of operating the vehicle are provided. The vehicle includes a fuselage and at least one thrust device coupled to the fuselage. A first payload module having an first attachment plate is fixedly coupled to the fuselage, the first payload module further having a first control module removably coupled to the first attachment plate and a first payload having a first energetic element. A second payload module having an second attachment plate is fixedly coupled to the fuselage adjacent the first payload module, the second payload module further having a second control module removably coupled to the second attachment plate and a second payload having a second energetic element.

Assignee: Ensign-Bickford Aerospace & Defense Company
Inventors: Edris Raji, Kurt Nelson, Matthew Bragoni, Andrew M. Kochanek, John Fiske, Craig Boucher, John A. Graham, Jarrett Jacobsen, John Benner, Scott Crespi, Michael Ronzello, Glen Smith
Filing date: 2023-04-12

The patent describes an unmanned vehicle designed to carry multiple payload modules, each equipped with a control module and energetic elements. The vehicle features an interlock mechanism that ensures secure attachment of the payload modules while enabling electrical connectivity through the movement of a pin within the control module.

Claim 1

1 . An unmanned vehicle comprising: a fuselage; at least one thrust device coupled to the fuselage; a first payload module having an first attachment plate fixedly coupled to the fuselage, the first attachment plate having an interlock feature, the first payload module further having a first control module removably coupled to the first attachment plate and a first payload having a first energetic element; a second payload module having an second attachment plate fixedly coupled to the fuselage adjacent the first payload module, the second payload module further having a second control module removably coupled to the second attachment plate and a second payload having a second energetic element; wherein the first control module further includes a pin arranged to engage the interlock feature and move from a first position to a second position when the first payload module is coupled to the first attachment plate; and wherein the first control module includes an energy source and an electrical circuit that are electrically coupled in response to the movement of the pin from the first position to the second position. a fuselage; at least one thrust device coupled to the fuselage; a first payload module having an first attachment plate fixedly coupled to the fuselage, the first attachment plate having an interlock feature, the first payload module further having a first control module removably coupled to the first attachment plate and a first payload having a first energetic element; a second payload module having an second attachment plate fixedly coupled to the fuselage adjacent the first payload module, the second payload module further having a second control module removably coupled to the second attachment plate and a second payload having a second energetic element; wherein the first control module further includes a pin arranged to engage the interlock feature and move from a first position to a second position when the first payload module is coupled to the first attachment plate; and wherein the first control module includes an energy source and an electrical circuit that are electrically coupled in response to the movement of the pin from the first position to the second position.

Google Patents

https://patents.google.com/patent/US12761006

USPTO PDF

https://image-ppubs.uspto.gov/dirsearch-public/print/downloadPdf/12761006