Abstract
A new concept is proposed to allow cargo to be transported by air directly from origin to destination or from collection centers to distribution centers without using airports. The concept uses fixed-wing Uninhabited Air Vehicles (UAV) optimized for autonomous containerized cargo operations from one industrial park to another. The key enabler is an electromagnetic catapult and arrestor system for short take-off and landing (STOL). The flywheel capacitor provides the required high energy rate for the catapult take-off when discharged. When a UAV lands and is decelerated using the arrestor hook, the energy of deceleration is used to re-charge the flywheel for the next take-off. UAV ground movements between the runway and loading facilities would be automatic using a magnetic rail system. Cargo container loading and unloading would be robotic. Steep angle, engine idle approaches and high acceleration departures would be used to minimize noise impact on surrounding communities to allow operations from populated areas.
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