Patent ID: 8894006

Claim:
An unmanned aerial system (UAS) launcher, comprising: a rail assembly extending from a first end to a second end and including one or more launch rails, wherein the rail assembly includes an internal track; a carriage assembly including: a base configured to translate within the internal track of the rail assembly between a launch-ready position adjacent the first end of the rail assembly and a launch position adjacent the second end of the rail assembly; a cradle configured to support a UAS; and a bracket configured to support the cradle above the base; a launch control system secured to the rail assembly and configured to secure the carriage assembly in the launch-ready position until the launch control system receives a launch signal directing the launch control system to release the carriage assembly; and one or more elastic members having a first end to-configured to engage the carriage assembly and a second end configured to engage the rail assembly, wherein after the carriage assembly is translated to the launch-ready position, strain is applied to the carriage assembly by the one or more elastic members, and wherein the release of the carriage assembly by the launch control system enables force generated by strain of the one or more elastic members to propel the carriage assembly toward the launch position, wherein the UAS launcher has a first configuration wherein the carriage assembly is translated to the launch-ready position and the one or more elastic members are uncoupled from the carriage assembly, and a second configuration wherein the one or more elastic members are coupled to engage the carriage assembly and the rail assembly when the carriage assembly is secured in the launch-ready position.