Abstract:
A power safety system is configured to provide power information in an aircraft. The power safety system includes a power safety instrument having a power required indicator and a power available indicator, each being located on a display. A position of the power required indicator and the power available indicator represent the power available and power required to perform a hover flight maneuver. The power safety system may be operated in a flight planning mode or in a current flight mode. The power safety system uses at least one sensor to measure variables having an effect on the power required and the power available.
Abstract:
An aerial vehicle having a low radar signature includes a first side on which turbine openings, and payload bays or landing gear bays are disposed. A second side of the aerial vehicle is designed to have a smaller radar signature than the first side.
Abstract:
A system comprising an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) configured to transition from a terminal homing mode to a target search mode, responsive to an uplink signal and/or an autonomous determination of scene change.
Abstract:
Systems and methods for countering an unmanned air vehicle are disclosed. Representative methods include directing an interceptor UAV toward a target UAV, and directing the interceptor UAV back to ground along a controlled flight path, for example, in response to an instruction not to engage with the target UAV, and/or in response to an unsuccessful engagement. Another representative method includes disabling the target UAV by deploying a disabling element (e.g., a net) from the interceptor UAV to contact the target UAV. Representative systems include a target acquisition system, a launch control system, and an engagement system carried by the interceptor UAV. In particular embodiments, the interceptor UAV can have a generally cylindrical fuselage, one or more fins carried by the fuselage, counter-rotating propellers carried by the fuselage, and a disabling system that is configured to disable the target UAV.
Abstract:
An injector device configured to mount to a predatory unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) for non-destructively disabling and controlling a threat UAV comprises a rigid housing having a hollow interior. A controllable mount structure attaches the rigid housing to the predatory UAV and aligns the housing opening with the fuselage or payload of the threat UAV. A rigid penetrator rod disposed in the interior of the housing is configured to pierce the fuselage and hence payload of the threat UAV. A conduit coupled to the penetrator rod enables a disabling substance to be conveyed through the penetrator rod and into the payload of the threat UAV. An ejector propels the penetrator rod from the housing and into the payload of the threat UAV in response to a trigger when the threat UAV is within a predetermined range.
Abstract:
A power safety system is configured to provide power information in an aircraft. The power safety system includes a power safety instrument having a power required indicator and a power available indicator, each being located on a display. A position of the power required indicator and the power available indicator represent the power available and power required to perform a hover flight maneuver. The power safety system may be operated in a flight planning mode or in a current flight mode. The power safety system uses at least one sensor to measure variables having an effect on the power required and the power available.
Abstract:
In specific embodiments, a vehicle propellable through fluids or along surfaces, comprises a main work section and a plurality of propulsion units for propelling the main work section. The main work section supports one or more payloads. The propulsion units each include a rotor system and a ring-shaped wheel at least partially arranged about the rotor system and rotatable about the rotor system. The ring-shaped wheel is arranged at a banked angle relative to the rotor system.
Abstract:
An unmanned air vehicle for military, land security and the like operations includes a fuselage provided with foldable wings having leading edge flaps and trailing edge ailerons which are operable during ascent from launch to control the flight pattern with the wings folded, the wings being deployed into an open unfolded position when appropriate. The vehicle is contained within a pod from which it is launched and a landing deck is provided to decelerate and arrest the vehicle upon its return to land.
Abstract:
A vehicular weapons platform (30) including a plurality of barrel assemblies (10), wherein each barrel assembly includes a barrel (11), a plurality of projectiles (14) axially disposed within the barrel for operative sealing engagement with the bore of the barrel (11) and discrete propellant charges (15) for propelling respective projectiles sequentially through the muzzle of the barrel; and at least one of said plurality of barrel assemblies (10) includes a barrel which also forms a structural member of the weapons platform. In one preferred form, the weapons platform takes the form of a small combat aerial vehicle (SCAV) (30), wherein the barrel assemblies (10) form the airframe. A method of constructing a weapons platform from the barrel assemblies is also described.
Abstract:
A sea-launched and recovered unmanned aircraft is disclosed. The aircraft is jet-powered and has features and systems to maintain watertight integrity such that it may be released from a submerged submarine or dropped into a body of water by a ship or an aircraft. The aircraft is buoyant and remains at or near the water surface before its rockets are ignited. The rockets propel the air vehicle out of the sea and accelerate it to flying speed at which time a jet engine is started and the rockets are jettisoned. The air vehicle performs its mission independently or in conjunction with other ones of the air vehicles. The air vehicle then returns to an assigned splashdown point at sea via, for example, an engine-off “whip-stall” maneuver. A submarine or ship may retrieve the air vehicle and readies it for another mission.