The Boeing Company
Unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) launch systems and methods

Abstract:

An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) launch system includes a launch container including a housing defining an internal chamber. A UAV includes a main body defining an inflatable envelope. The UAV is configured to be contained within the internal chamber. The main body is in a deflated state when the UAV is contained within the internal chamber. A reactant is configured to react with water to produce a lifting gas. The inflatable envelope is configured to be inflated by the lifting gas in response to the reactant reacting with the water to deploy the UAV from the launch container.