Abstract:
An intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance system is disclosed including a ground station and one or more aerial vehicles. The aerial vehicles are autonomous systems capable of communicating intelligence data to the ground station and be used as part of a missile delivery package. A plurality of aerial vehicles can be configured to cast a wide net of reconnaissance over a large area on the ground including smaller overlapping reconnaissance areas provided by each of the plurality of the aerial vehicles.
Abstract:
An airship (10) comprising an envelope and a ballonet (32) positioned within the envelope (30). Drive means is provided for supplying lateral thrust for the airship, to improve lateral control of the airship. The drive means has a dual function as it has an air supply system with an air inlet provided at the bow of the envelope of the airship for supplying air to the balonet (32) to aid pressurisation. A mooring system and detachable gondola (14) is also disclosed.
Abstract:
Airship bow thruster apparatus (7) comprising means (9) for generating a large mass flow of air or exhaust gases and movable deflection means (17-20) at the bow of an airship positionable in the flow path of the air or exhaust gases. The position of the deflection means (17-20) is controlled by control means for controlling the direction that the air or exhaust gases is or are ejected at the bow of the airship. The invention also relates to an airship provided with such bow thruster apparatus.
Abstract:
The invention relates to a flying apparatus for the purpose of lifting and carrying extremely large loads by air. The necessary lifting power is produced by the rotary wings situated in the centre of mass. The lifting force of the gas cells placed around the rotary wing and filled with helium keeps in balance with the self-weight of the flying apparatus. The transported load is carried by a gripping device or container placed underneath the centre of mass. The load is lifted by the necessary lifting force generated on the rotary wings. The rotary wings (1), connected to the circular girder (5) with the drive framework (3) and the tangent spoke or girder (4), form a flying unit with the gas cells (13) placed between the profile frame girders (8) departing from the circular girder (5) radially. The permanent moment of stability is ensured by a fluid gyroscope (7).