UAV Recovery

HDT has extensive experience in the recovery of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). Our top-notch team includes design and fabrication experts in vehicle and parachute aerodynamics; textile design and fabrication; aircraft structures; and aircraft and parachute control.

HDT recovery systems have been used on UAVs from 20 to 1,600 pounds. Parachutes are deployed using a rocket or a spring-loaded pilot chute, with rocket-deployed systems the preferred solution for situations where a propeller must be cleared and/or where the system may be deployed in unusual attitudes and/or high “G” forces.

Recovery systems are based on parafoils or round parachutes, depending on the mission. Parafoil systems are steerable, allowing guided, powered flight to a targeted landing spot. HDT is the world leader in mid-air retrieval of UAVs under parafoil.