US Patent 9221557 UAV retrieval system and method

An apparatus for capture of an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) comprises a wind tunnel including at least one fan for generating airflow in the wind tunnel; sensors for sensing characteristics of the UAV; and a control system coupled to said sensors and said at least one fan. The control system is configured to cause the at least one fan to generate airflow based on the sensed characteristics of the UAV to bring the UAV that is in the wind tunnel to a low or zero airspeed above a floor of the wind tunnel, thereby allowing the UAV to be dropped onto the floor of the wind tunnel when the airflow and a motive force of the UAV are stopped.