Accurate Autonomous Launch and Recovery of an UAV from a Station Keeping USV

Integrating Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and Unmanned Surface Vehicles (USVs) has the potential to enhance their capabilities and expand their range of applications. By launching and recovering (L&R) UAVs from USVs, the search area can be expanded and the USV can stay on station longer, increasing the chances of locating and rescuing those in need. In this work, a L&R system has been integrated so an UAV can be launched and recovered from an USV. UAV launch is accomplished by taking off from a Launch and Recovery Platform (LaRP) on the USV top tray. Recovery is initiated by the UAV navigating towards the USV location using the Global Positioning System (GPS), and using a radio triangulation system placed at the landing platform for an accurate landing. During these operations, the USV approximately keeps station on the water surface. It was found that for appropriate environmental conditions, launching and recovering the UAV from a station-keeping USV is an effective approach with a recovery success rate of 90^%, and can be applied in applications like search and rescue, military operations, environmental monitoring or maritime surveillance.