	US 11,685,527 B2
	Projectile delivery systems and weaponized aerial vehicles and methods including same
Sean Kevin Treadway, Mooresville, NC (US); and Michael John Worsham, Mooresville, NC (US)
Assigned to Corvid Technologies LLC, Mooresville, NC (US)
Filed by Corvid Technologies LLC, Mooresville, NC (US)
Filed on Dec. 7, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/544,305.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/127,703, filed on Dec. 18, 2020.
Prior Publication US 2022/0363386 A1, Nov. 17, 2022
Int. Cl. B64D 1/04 (2006.01); F42B 10/64 (2006.01); G05D 1/12 (2006.01); F41G 9/02 (2006.01); B64C 39/02 (2023.01); B64U 101/15 (2023.01)

CPC B64D 1/04 (2013.01) [B64C 39/024 (2013.01); F41G 9/02 (2013.01); F42B 10/64 (2013.01); G05D 1/12 (2013.01); B64U 2101/15 (2023.01)]

37 Claims

1. A projectile delivery module for use with an aerial vehicle, the projectile delivery module comprising:

a projectile delivery system including:

a kinetic projectile including:

a projectile body;

an onboard steering system including:

a steering mechanism operable to change an attitude, orientation, and/or direction of flight of the kinetic projectile; and

a steering actuator operable to control the steering mechanism; and

a radio-frequency (RF) receiver; and

a base system including:

an RF transmitter to communicate with the RF receiver of the kinetic projectile;

a projectile holder configured to secure the kinetic projectile to the aerial vehicle and configured to selectively release the kinetic projectile;

a target tracking system; and

a projectile guidance system including a projectile tracking system and a projectile control system;

wherein the projectile delivery module is configured to be mounted on the aerial vehicle for flight therewith; and

wherein the base system is configured to:

release the kinetic projectile from the projectile holder such that the kinetic projectile is driven toward a target by gravity;

track the target using the target tracking system;

track the released kinetic projectile using the projectile tracking system; and

automatically control the onboard steering system of the kinetic projectile using the projectile control system to adjust a trajectory of the falling kinetic projectile to steer the kinetic projectile to the target.