AIRCRAFT WITH A CAPTURE DEVICE

Abstract

The invention relates to an aircraft (1), in particular an unmanned aircraft (1), with a fuselage (2), a propulsion device (3) arranged on the fuselage (2) for moving the aircraft (1) through an environment and a capture device (6) with a capture device base (7) and at least two capture arms (8, 9, 10) movable relative to the capture device base (7), which together with the capture device base (7) form an object receiving area (11) of the capture device (6), wherein the capture device (6) is associated with an actuating device configured to move the capture arms (8, 9, 10) towards each other from an open position to a closed position.In order to prevent the flight characteristics of the aircraft (1) from being adversely affected by the arresting device (6), it is proposed that the arresting device base (7) of the arresting device (6) be an integral part of the fuselage (2) of the aircraft (1) and / or be formed integrally with the fuselage (2).

Description

TECHNICAL AREA OF INVENTION

[0001] The invention relates to an aircraft comprising a fuselage, a propulsion system arranged on the fuselage for moving the aircraft through its environment, and a capture device for capturing objects in the environment. The capture device has a capture device base and at least two capture arms movable relative to the capture device base, which together with the capture device base form an object-capture area of ​​the capture device. The capture device base is an integral part of the aircraft fuselage and / or formed integrally with it. The capture device is associated with an actuating device configured to move the capture arms from an open position to a closed position.

[0002] Catching devices of this type can be designed as a clamp, with one or more pairs of movable grasping arms, or as a basket-like catching device with a plurality of grasping arms arranged around a collection area. To capture an object within the collection area, at least one of the grasping arms is movable relative to another grasping arm, allowing the arms to move towards each other to reach the closed position. Preferably, however, several or all of the grasping arms are movable.

[0003] The invention specifically relates to an unmanned aerial vehicle, for example a drone, with a fuselage and a drive unit arranged on the fuselage, which may preferably have a plurality of individual drive elements, for example rotors.

[0004] In the context considered here, objects that can be captured by the aircraft's capture system are primarily unmanned aerial vehicles such as drones. Through carelessness or malicious intent, such objects can enter restricted areas such as airports, major events, or military installations. Therefore, measures exist to prevent the unauthorized entry of objects into such no-fly zones through defensive actions or to remove objects already located within the no-fly zone. STATE OF THE ART

[0005] In the field of unmanned aerial vehicles, capture devices with several movable capture arms are known, which are arranged in a pincer-like or basket-like manner and can perform a grasping movement by moving the capture arms towards each other.

[0006] CN 1 06 239 541 A discloses an arresting device for installation on an unmanned aerial vehicle. The arresting device comprises an annular support structure on which several arresting arms are pivotally and slidably mounted, and a drive motor and a threaded drive for extending and retracting the arresting arms. The arresting device is designed as a separate and independently functioning unit from the aircraft. As such, the arresting device is attached to the aircraft, projecting clearly from the aircraft body and into the surrounding area in both the open and closed positions.

[0007] KR 10 2021 0 009 660 A discloses a capture device for a drone. The capture device comprises a frame and several pairs of pivotable capture arms arranged parallel to each other on the frame. The pivoting movements of the capture arms are mechanically coupled, with the pivoting movements being initiated by an electrically driven linear actuator. The capture device is attached to the drone as a separate unit via its frame and an intermediate rod-shaped support. The capture device is thus located far from the drone's center of gravity.

[0008] A disadvantage of these arresting devices is that they extend very far outwards from the fuselage of the aircraft into the surrounding area. This shifts the aircraft's center of gravity unfavorably outwards, consequently negatively affecting its flight characteristics.

[0009] Another well-known type of fishing device uses a net shot towards an object to be caught by means of a so-called net gun, or a trawl net in which the object can become entangled and be transported away.

[0010] US patent 10005556B2, for example, discloses a drone with a device for deploying a capture net towards an object to be captured. The capture net is connected to the drone via a cable, so that an object caught in the net is towed behind the drone by means of the cable.

[0011] A disadvantage of such net capture devices is that the nets used have weaknesses regarding handling and reusability. Furthermore, the aircraft's flight characteristics are adversely affected if the net and / or the net with an object caught in it is towed behind the aircraft. The large distance between the aircraft's fuselage and the net alone causes an adverse pendulum motion of the capture device and deteriorates its flight characteristics.

[0012] Furthermore, WO 2022 / 219 371 A1 discloses a drone with several articulated feet arranged on the underside of a drone fuselage, which can be pivoted upwards and downwards to pick up an object to be captured above or below the drone fuselage.

[0013] US 2019 / 0 100 315 A1 discloses an aircraft with several fuselage sections that can be moved relative to each other and together hold and deploy a safety net.

[0014] US 2019 / 0 112 045 A1 discloses an aircraft with a drone capture device which has a central post with a plurality of foldable arms, at the ends of which a net is attached in a stretchable manner away from the post.

[0015] CN 1 10 282 137 A discloses an unmanned aerial vehicle with a capture device arranged on the underside of an aircraft fuselage. The capture device has a plurality of gripping arms that can be moved towards each other. TASK OF INVENTION

[0016] The invention is based on the objective of creating an aircraft with an arresting device whose flight characteristics are not affected, or are affected as little as possible, by the arresting device. SOLUTION

[0017] The problem of the invention is solved by the features of the independent patent claim. Preferred embodiments can be found in the dependent patent claims. DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0018] The invention relates to an aircraft, in particular an unmanned aerial vehicle, comprising a fuselage, a propulsion unit arranged on the fuselage for moving the aircraft through its environment, and a capture device with a capture device base and at least two capture arms movable relative to the capture device base, which together with the capture device base form an object-capture area of ​​the capture device. The capture device is associated with an actuating device configured to move the capture arms from an open position to a closed position towards each other. According to the invention, the capture device base is an integral part of the fuselage of the aircraft and / or is formed integrally with the fuselage.

[0019] The arresting gear includes a safety net that can be deployed by the arresting arms and is connected to them. The arresting gear base is located on the upper side of the fuselage, relative to the aircraft's typical orientation during flight.

[0020] This integral and / or one-piece design of the arresting gear base and fuselage according to the invention allows the aircraft's weight to be kept low. In particular, part of the arresting gear, namely at least the arresting gear base, is already a component present on the aircraft's fuselage, thus minimizing the number and weight of additional components required for the arresting gear. Furthermore, the aircraft's flight characteristics are affected as little as possible, since the arresting gear and its arresting arms are attached directly to the aircraft's fuselage. The aircraft's center of gravity preferably remains within the fuselage. This results in significant advantages over the prior art, which still uses arresting gear arranged separately and far from the center of gravity on the aircraft.

[0021] The essential aspect of the invention is that the fuselage of the aircraft is at least partially a part of the arresting device, namely forming the arresting device base, so that the arresting device does not have to be attached to the aircraft as an additional separate unit.

[0022] The arresting gear base can be an integral part of the fuselage – for example, a section of the aircraft's body – which is formed separately from other fuselage parts and belongs to both the arresting gear and the fuselage. Alternatively, the arresting gear base can be formed integrally with the fuselage and used as the arresting gear base for the arresting gear.

[0023] According to the invention, the catching device comprises a catching net in addition to the catching arms. The catching net can be deployed by the catching arms. The catching device can, in principle, have two or more catching arms. The catching net is deployed when and / or by the catching arms moving from the open position to the closed position. In the open position of the catching device, the catching net can, for example, still be folded and only be moved by the catching arms when the catching arms of the catching device move from the open position to the closed position. It is recommended that the catching net be arranged on the catching arms, and in particular that it be attached to them at least at certain points.

[0024] According to one embodiment, the capture net, in a folded state, can be held close to the fuselage of the aircraft by the capture arms, for example, by being clamped between the fuselage and the capture arms. This prevents the capture net from protruding from the fuselage or hanging down, thus avoiding exposure to airflow in the vicinity of the aircraft. Compared to conventional trawl nets, this significantly reduces air resistance.

[0025] According to the invention, the safety net is connected to the catch arms. In particular, the safety net can be permanently attached to the catch arms. According to this embodiment, the safety net can, for example, be connected to the catch arms at individual coupling points and thus follow the movement of the catch arms from the open position to the closed position and vice versa. According to one possible embodiment, the catch arms can be an integral part of the safety net, for example, by forming outwardly pointing threads or struts of the safety net, thus giving the safety net special stability that exceeds the inherent stability of the net without these threads or struts. Catch arms can be woven into the safety net. Furthermore, the catch arms and the safety net can be connected to each other within one and the same manufacturing process, for example, using an injection molding process or 3D printing.

[0026] The grasping arms and / or the grasping net can, for example, be made of an elastic plastic. In particular, the elastic plastic can be a carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP). This gives the grasping arms and / or the grasping net a certain degree of elasticity, allowing them, for example, to conform to the contours of an object located in the object-capturing area and / or to spring back to their original shape as soon as a force acting in the closing position is removed.

[0027] The material of the catch arms can differ from the material of the net. Preferably, a stiffer material, such as a hard plastic or metal, can be used for the catch arms, while a softer, elastic plastic is used for the net itself, which offers particular advantages with regard to tear resistance and / or shape change when the net is folded and / or re-erected.

[0028] According to the invention, the capture device base is formed on the upper side of the fuselage, assuming a typical orientation of the aircraft during flight. In this configuration, the aircraft and / or capture device are operated in such a way that the aircraft approaches the object to be captured from below, specifically in such a manner that an opening of the capture device's object-receiving area is brought close to the object. The object is captured in the object-receiving area of ​​the capture device in such a way that it makes contact with the capture device's base. The capture arms and / or the capture net encircle the object as tightly as possible, preventing the object from moving back and forth within the object-receiving area of ​​the capture device during flight and thus preventing any negative impact on the aircraft's flight characteristics.

[0029] It is particularly preferred that the arresting device be openable upwards. The term "upwards" again refers to a typical orientation of the aircraft during flight. Alternatively, however, the arresting device may, for example, have an opening area whose opening plane is inclined relative to the orientation of the arresting device base. This can be advantageous, for example, when the aircraft approaches the object laterally and / or from below.

[0030] Preferably, the arresting arms can be articulated to the arresting device base. In particular, the arresting arms can be mounted directly on the fuselage of the aircraft. A pivoting movement of the arresting arms relative to the fuselage is thus possible in a particularly simple manner. Only one arresting arm, only a few arresting arms, or all arresting arms can be pivotable, thereby opening and closing the arresting device. The joints of the arresting arms can be located directly on the arresting device base or adjacent to the arresting device base on a neighboring section of the fuselage. Preferably, the actuating device is associated with the joints of the arresting arms, which actuates the joints and thus causes an opening and / or closing movement of the arresting arms.The joints can consist of two separate joint elements that are movable relative to each other, as usual, or can be made in one piece, especially in the style of film hinges.

[0031] According to a particular embodiment, the capture arms can have one or more articulated, interconnected capture arm sections. In this configuration, the capture arms consist of several longitudinal sections connected by joints. This allows the capture arms to be moved with exceptional precision, enabling them, for example, to adapt to the contours of a captured object and / or, in particular, to be folded into an open position. For instance, a capture arm may be provided with one or more additional joints (besides the joint at the base of the capture device) to allow for variable changes in its shape. The joints of the capture arms can be, for example, conventional hinges or joints, or they can be formed in one piece, such as film hinges.

[0032] Furthermore, it is proposed that the propulsion system for moving the aircraft comprises a plurality of drive elements positioned relative to the aircraft fuselage such that the capture device base and / or the object-capture area lies centrally between the drive elements. In an aircraft designed, for example, as a drone, a plurality of rotors are typically arranged on the fuselage. Each drive element can be arranged directly or indirectly on the fuselage. According to one embodiment, the drive elements can each be arranged on a support element, for example, on a support arm extending radially outward from the fuselage or downward or upward relative to the (horizontal) plane of the fuselage's capture device base.Furthermore, several drive elements can be attached together to a single support element, for example, an annular or annular-section-shaped support bracket arranged on the fuselage of the aircraft, allowing the drive elements to be positioned along the circumferential contour of the fuselage. Other embodiments are also possible for arranging the drive elements on the fuselage. Finally, the drive elements can also be in direct contact with the fuselage of the aircraft, particularly without an intermediate support element.

[0033] It is further proposed that, in the open position of the arresting device, the arresting arms are arranged entirely within a volume defined by the fuselage and propulsion elements, so that the arresting device does not extend beyond the propulsion elements from the fuselage. According to this design, the arresting arms and / or the arresting net (if used) are located, at least with respect to the open position of the arresting device, within the volume enclosed by the propulsion elements and the fuselage of the aircraft. In a vertical section through the aircraft, the arresting arms and / or the arresting net therefore do not project beyond the fuselage and the outwardly projecting portions of the propulsion elements. This ensures optimal aerodynamics of the aircraft.Secondly, the object capture area of ​​the capture device is located directly on the fuselage of the aircraft, so that the object to be captured is caught close to the fuselage of the aircraft.

[0034] The aircraft preferably has a sensor device associated with the capture device for detecting an object to be captured and a control device for operating the actuating device depending on a detection signal from the sensor device confirming the presence of an object. The actuating device of the capture device is thus preferably controlled depending on a detection signal from the sensor device indicating the presence of an object in the vicinity of the aircraft.

[0035] The actuating device includes, for example, an actuator, in particular an electric motor, and optionally a coupling device operatively connected between the catch arms and the actuator. In particular, the actuating device may include a return element, for example a spring element, to move the catch arms instantaneously from the open position to the closed position upon detection of an object. The return force of the return element may be dimensioned, in particular, to be sufficient to move the catch arms towards the closed position and, if necessary, to also extend the safety net.

[0036] In the open position, the return element can be held in the pre-tensioned state by a locking device until an object is detected, triggering a release. From the closed position of the catch, the return element can then be pre-tensioned again by the actuator to the restoring force acting in the direction of the closed position.

[0037] In the form of a pre-tensioned return element, the actuating device can incorporate a particularly fast reaction element capable of instantly applying the return force to the catch arm, thereby bringing the catch into the closed position. This eliminates the need to wait for the time interval that, for example, an actuator would require to move the catch arm. The pre-tensioning of the return element can occur before and independently of the subsequent release of the return element, at which the return force is suddenly released. Thus, the time-consuming task of pre-tensioning the return element is independent of the sudden release of the return force.Once the reset element has relaxed and the closing position of the safety device has been reached, the reset element can be coupled to the actuator, for example via the coupling device, in order to return the safety arm to the open position for a further triggering process.

[0038] Finally, the actuating device may also be designed to move the arresting arms from the closed position to the open position. According to this design, the aircraft's arresting gear does not need to be manually opened by an operator to remove the captured object. Rather, the object can be removed from the arresting gear without any user intervention.

[0039] Advantageous further developments of the invention result from the patent claims, the description and the drawings.

[0040] The advantages of features and combinations of features mentioned in the description are merely exemplary and can have an alternative or additional effect, without the advantages necessarily having to be achieved by embodiments according to the invention.

[0041] Regarding the disclosure content—not the scope of protection—of the original application documents and the patent, the following applies: Further features can be derived from the drawings—in particular, the geometries depicted and the relative dimensions of several components to one another, as well as their relative arrangement and functional connection. The combination of features from different embodiments of the invention or from features of different claims is also possible, deviating from the chosen cross-references of the claims, and is hereby encouraged. This also applies to features that are illustrated in separate drawings or mentioned in their description. These features can also be combined with features from different claims.Likewise, features listed in the patent claims may be omitted for further embodiments of the invention, but this does not apply to the independent patent claims of the granted patent.

[0042] The features mentioned in the claims and the description are to be understood, with regard to their number, as meaning that exactly that number or a greater number than stated is present, without the need for the explicit use of the adverb "at least". Thus, for example, if a joint is mentioned, this is to be understood as meaning that exactly one joint, two joints, or more joints are present. The features listed in the claims may be supplemented by further features or may be the only features that the subject matter of the respective claim possesses.

[0043] The reference numerals contained in the patent claims do not constitute a limitation of the scope of the subject matter protected by the patent claims. They merely serve the purpose of making the patent claims easier to understand. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0044] The invention will now be further explained and described with reference to exemplary embodiments shown in the figures. Fig. Figure 1 shows an aircraft with an arresting gear in an open position. Fig. Figure 2 shows the aircraft with the arresting gear in a transition position between the open position according to Fig. 1 and the closed position according to Fig. 3. Fig. Figure 3 shows the aircraft with the arresting gear in a closed position and an object caught in the arresting gear. Fig. Figure 4 shows an aircraft with a capture device according to another possible embodiment. FIGURE DESCRIPTION

[0045] Fig. Figure 1 shows a possible embodiment of an aircraft 1 with a capture device 6 for capturing, in particular, flying objects 18 (see Fig. 3) The aircraft 1, which has the capture device 6, is here configured as an unmanned aerial vehicle 1, specifically as a flying drone. The object 18 to be captured is also a flying drone.

[0046] The aircraft 1 has a fuselage 2 which, in the usual manner, carries a propulsion system 3 comprising a plurality of propulsion elements 4, 5 arranged circumferentially on the fuselage 2 of the aircraft 1. The propulsion system 3 serves to move the aircraft 1 through its surroundings. The propulsion elements 4, 5 are propellers, each arranged on a support arm 16, 17 of the aircraft 1. The support arms 16, 17 are also formed circumferentially on the fuselage 2 of the aircraft 1.

[0047] The illustrated embodiment shows only one of several possible arrangements and configurations of the drive elements 4, 5 of a drive unit 3. Instead of the configuration with support arms 16, 17 for mounting the drive elements 4, 5 on the fuselage 2 of the aircraft 1, other support elements, such as a bracket extending along a contour of the fuselage 2 or similar, can also be provided. Furthermore, the drive elements 4, 5 can alternatively be mounted directly on the fuselage 2 without intermediate support arms 16, 17 or alternative mounts. The drive elements 4, 5 can, in principle, extend upwards, downwards, and / or radially outwards from the fuselage 2. Here, the drive elements 4, 5 are mounted on an upper surface of the fuselage 2 of the aircraft 1 by means of the support arms 16, 17.

[0048] A control unit (not shown) is arranged in the fuselage 2. This unit is designed to control the propulsion system 3 of the aircraft 1 and preferably also other functions. The aircraft 1 also has a sensor unit (not shown) which may include one or more sensors. These sensors can be, for example, optical sensors, in particular cameras, capable of detecting the object 18 in the vicinity. The control unit evaluates the detection signals from the sensor unit and controls the capture device 6 such that the object 18 can be captured by the capture device 6.

[0049] The arresting gear 6 has several arresting arms 8, 9, 10 arranged around a section of the fuselage 2. This section of the fuselage 2 is, for example, circular and forms an arresting gear base 7 for the arresting gear 6. The arresting gear base 7 is an integral part of the fuselage 2 of the aircraft 1, namely formed integrally with the other sections of the fuselage 2. The arresting arms 8, 9, 10 are each mounted to the fuselage 2 by means of a joint 19 and can be pivoted about the joint 19 from the Fig. 1 shown opening position into a Fig. 3 shown closed position and can be moved in reverse.

[0050] Each capture arm 8, 9 has a long longitudinal extent compared to its cross-section, which, in the closed position of the capture device 6, points essentially away from the fuselage 2 of the aircraft 1. The capture arms 8, 9 can be moved towards each other to perform a capture operation and can be moved away from each other again to open a capture volume enclosed by the capture arms 8, 9, which is here referred to as the object reception area 11.

[0051] In the embodiments shown here, the capture device 6 is designed and arranged such that the object-capture area 11 can be opened and closed upwards. The term "upwards" refers to the typical orientation of the aircraft 1 during flight. Alternatively, the capture device 6 could be positioned below the fuselage 2 of the aircraft 1, and the object-capture area 11 could then be opened downwards. Openings to the side or diagonally upwards or downwards are also possible. This depends in particular on the direction from which the aircraft 1 is to approach an object 18 to be captured.

[0052] In the arrangement of the capture device 6 shown here on the upper surface 13 of the fuselage 2 of the aircraft 1, it is provided that the aircraft 1 approaches the object to be captured from below and captures it via an upper opening of the object receiving area 11 in the capture device 6.

[0053] The trapping device 6, for example, additionally features a trap net 12, which unfolds when the trapping arms 8, 9, 10 move from the open position to the closed position. For this purpose, the trap net 12 is connected to the trapping arms 8, 9, 10 at least via individual contact points. The trap net 12 can also be formed integrally with the trapping arms 8, 9, 10. In particular, the trapping arms 8, 9, 10 and / or the trap net 12 can be made of an elastically resilient material to allow the trapping device 6 to change shape from the open position to the closed position and vice versa. Alternatively or additionally, the trap net 12 can be designed and attached to the trapping arms 8, 9, 10 in such a way that the trap net 12 folds together or unfolds when the trapping arms 8, 9, 10 move. An elastic plastic, such as a carbon fiber reinforced plastic, can be used as the elastically resilient material.

[0054] As shown below, the trapping device 6 is at least in the in Fig. In the open position shown in Figure 1, the arresting device 6 is positioned entirely within a volume defined on one side by the fuselage 2 of the aircraft 1 and on the other side by the propulsion elements 4, 5 of the aircraft 1. The arresting device 6 therefore does not project beyond any outer contour of the aircraft 1, in particular not beyond the propulsion elements 4, 5.

[0055] The in the Fig. 1, Fig. 2 to Fig. The embodiment of the capture device 6 shown in Figure 3 has capture arms 8, 9, 10, each of which is arranged on the fuselage 2 of the aircraft 1 via a joint 19. As soon as the sensor device of the aircraft 1 detects an object 18 to be captured, the control device controls the actuating device such that the capture arms 8, 9, 10 are extended from the fuselage 2. Fig. 1 shown opening position into the in Fig. The locking arms 8, 9, 10 are moved to the closed position shown in Figure 3. This movement is achieved, for example, by means of a motor or a pre-tensioned return element (e.g., a spring element) whose return force can be released suddenly. In the latter case, the actuating device can, for example, release a locking mechanism on the locking arms 8, 9, 10, allowing the return force to move the locking arms 8, 9, 10 into the closed position of the safety device 6.

[0056] Fig. Figure 2 shows a transition position between the open position and the closed position of the trapping device 6. It can be seen how the trapping net 12 stretches between the trapping arms 8, 9, 10, thereby preparing the object reception area 11.

[0057] In Fig. Finally, object 18 is trapped in the sealed object reception area 11.

[0058] Fig.Figure 4 shows an alternative embodiment of a capture device 6 of the aircraft 1. According to this embodiment, the capture arms 8, 9, 10 have additional joints 20 by which the capture arms 8, 9, 10 are each divided into two capture arm sections 14, 15. This allows the object-capture area 11 of the capture device 6 to be shaped in a targeted manner. In addition, the capture net 12 can advantageously be folded together for the open position of the capture device 6 and unfolded for the closed position of the capture device 6. For example, the two capture arm sections 14, 15 can be placed on top of each other in an open position of the capture device 6, so that the capture arm sections 14, 15 are oriented antiparallel to each other. This allows, in particular, a space-saving arrangement of the capture device 6 in the open position. REFERENCE MARK LIST 1 aircraft 2 Hull 3 Drive unit 4 Drive element 5 Drive element 6. Catching device 7 Catching device base 8 arm 9 grasping arm 10 grasping arm 11 Object recording area 12 Safety net 13 Top 14 Arm section 15 Arm section 16 support arm 17 support arm 18 objects 19 joint 20 joint

Claims

[1] Aircraft (1), in particular an unmanned aircraft (1), comprising a fuselage (2), a propulsion device (3) arranged on the fuselage (2) for moving the aircraft (1) through its surroundings, and a capture device (6) comprising a capture device base (7) and at least two capture arms (8, 9, 10) movable relative to the capture device base (7), which together with the capture device base (7) form an object-capture area (11) of the capture device (6), wherein the capture device (6) is associated with an actuating device configured to move the capture arms (8, 9, 10) towards each other from an open position to a closed position, wherein the capture device base (7) of the capture device (6) is an integral part of the fuselage (2) of the aircraft (1) and / or is formed integrally with the fuselage (2), characterized by, that the arresting device (6) has a catch net (12) which can be deployed by the arresting arms (8, 9, 10) and which is connected to the arresting arms (8, 9, 10), wherein the arresting device base (7) is formed on an upper surface (13) of the fuselage (2) with respect to a normal orientation of the aircraft (1) during movement of the aircraft (1). [2] Aircraft (1) according to claim 1, wherein the catch net (2) is permanently attached to the catch arms (8, 9, 10). [3] Aircraft (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the catch arms (8, 9, 10) and / or the catch net (2) are made of an elastic plastic, in particular of a carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP). [4] Aircraft (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the arresting device (6) is openable upwards. [5] Aircraft (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the arresting arms (8, 9, 10) are articulated to the arresting device base (7), in particular being mounted directly on the fuselage (2) of the aircraft (1). [6] Aircraft (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the catch arms (8, 9, 10) have one or more catch arm sections (14, 15) articulated to each other. [7] Aircraft (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the drive unit (3) comprises a plurality of drive elements (4, 5) which are positioned relative to the fuselage (2) of the aircraft (1) such that the capture device base (7) and / or the object receiving area (11) is located centrally between the drive elements (4, 5). [8] Aircraft (1) according to claim 7, wherein the aircraft (1) has a plurality of support arms (16, 17) arranged on the fuselage (2), each support arm (16, 17) carrying a drive element (4, 5). [9] Aircraft (1) according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the arresting arms (8, 9, 10) in the open position of the arresting device (6) are arranged completely within a volume area spanned by the fuselage (2) and the propulsion elements (4, 5), so that the arresting device (6) does not extend beyond the propulsion elements (4, 5) from the fuselage (2). [10] Aircraft (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the aircraft (1) has a sensor device associated with the capture device (6) for detecting an object (18) to be captured and a control device for operating the actuating device depending on a detection signal from the sensor device confirming the presence of an object (18). [11] Aircraft (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the actuating device is also designed to move the catch arms (8, 9, 10) from the closed position to the open position.

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