An aircraft (10) is operable to transition between thrust-borne lift in a VTOL orientation and wing-borne lift in a biplane orientation. The aircraft (10) includes an airframe (12) having first and second wings (14, 16) with first and second pylons (18, 20) extending therebetween forming a central region. A two-dimensional distributed thrust array and a flight control system are coupled to the airframe (12). A nose cone (30a) and an afterbody (30b) are each selectively coupled to the airframe (12). In a cargo delivery flight configuration, the nose cone (30a) and the afterbody (30b) are coupled to the airframe (12) such that the nose cone (30a) and the afterbody (30b) each extend between the first and second wings (14, 16) and between first and second pylons (18, 20) to form a cargo enclosure (30) with an aerodynamic outer shape. In a minimal drag flight configuration, the nose cone (30a) and the afterbody (30b) are not coupled to the airframe (12) such that air passes through the central region during flight.
LOGISTICS SUPPORT AIRCRAFT HAVING A MINIMAL DRAG CONFIGURATION
LOGISTIKUNTERSTÜTZUNGSFLUGZEUG MIT MINIMALER LUFTWIDERSTANDSKONFIGURATION
AÉRONEF DE SOUTIEN LOGISTIQUE AYANT UNE CONFIGURATION DE TRAÎNÉE MINIMALE
2021-09-08
Patent
Elektronische Ressource
Englisch
IPC: | B64C AEROPLANES , Flugzeuge |
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