Patent ID: 11971717
Assignee: AEROVIRONMENT, INC.
Field: Transport (Mechanical engineering)
Classification: CPC G  B  F | IPC B  F  G

Claim 7:
8. The method of claim 1, wherein:
the single degree of freedom is a rotation in yaw;
with the target within the forward-looking field of view, the commit function actuates the control surfaces to turn the aircraft flight vector toward the target by rolling the aircraft while controlling the aircraft pitch and yaw to maintain the target within the forward-looking field of view;
throughout the commit function turning the aircraft flight vector toward the target, the commit function maintains the target within a safe roll zone portion of the forward-looking field of view by actuating the control surfaces;
with the aircraft flight vector turned toward the target, the commit function actuates the control surfaces to adjust the aircraft roll for a straight approach toward the target while controlling the aircraft pitch and yaw to maintain the target within the forward-looking field of view; and
when the unmanned aircraft completes its flight to the target, the commit function detonates an explosive in the aircraft.