Patent ID: 7677491

Claim:
An airborne delivery system, comprising: an unmanned container; an extendable mast connected to the unmanned container comprising a first end and a second end, wherein: the extendable mast is configured to transition from an undeployed position to a deployed position; the first end is pivotally connected to an exterior upper surface of the unmanned container; the second end is held proximate to the exterior upper surface of the unmanned container when the extendable mast is in the undeployed position; and the second end extends away from the exterior upper surface of the unmanned container when the extendable mast is in the deployed position; an unpowered rotor connected to the second end of the extendable mast, wherein the unpowered rotor is: held above to the upper exterior surface of the unmanned container when the extendable mast is in the undeployed position; and adapted to control the rate of descent of the airborne delivery system when the extendable mast is in the deployed position without a forward thrust component generated by a propulsion system connected to the delivery system; and a guidance system connected to the unpowered rotor, wherein the guidance system is configured to control a flight path of the delivery system to a predetermined target.