Aircraft having manned and unmanned flight modes
First Claim
Patent Images
1. An aircraft comprising:
- a flying frame including an airframe having first and second wing members, a propulsion system attached to the airframe and a flight control system operably associated with the propulsion system; and
a pod assembly having an aerodynamic outer shape and selectively attachable to the flying frame,wherein, the flying frame has a vertical takeoff and landing mode and a forward flight mode, the flying frame has a manned flight mode and an unmanned flight mode, and the flying frame is operable to jettison the pod assembly during flight; and
wherein, in the vertical takeoff and landing mode, the first wing member is forward of the pod assembly and the second wing member is aft of the pod assembly and wherein, in the forward flight mode, the first wing member is below the pod assembly and the second wing member is above the pod assembly.
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Abstract
In some embodiment, an aircraft includes an airframe, a propulsion system attached to the airframe and a flight control system operably associated with the propulsion system. A pod assembly is selectively attachable to the flying frame. The flying frame has a vertical takeoff and landing mode and a forward flight mode. The flying frame has a manned flight mode and an unmanned flight mode.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. An aircraft comprising:
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a flying frame including an airframe having first and second wing members, a propulsion system attached to the airframe and a flight control system operably associated with the propulsion system; and a pod assembly having an aerodynamic outer shape and selectively attachable to the flying frame, wherein, the flying frame has a vertical takeoff and landing mode and a forward flight mode, the flying frame has a manned flight mode and an unmanned flight mode, and the flying frame is operable to jettison the pod assembly during flight; and wherein, in the vertical takeoff and landing mode, the first wing member is forward of the pod assembly and the second wing member is aft of the pod assembly and wherein, in the forward flight mode, the first wing member is below the pod assembly and the second wing member is above the pod assembly. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. An aircraft comprising:
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a flying frame including an airframe having first and second wing members, a propulsion system attached to the airframe and a flight control system operably associated with the propulsion system; and a pod assembly having an aerodynamic outer shape and selectively attachable to the flying frame, wherein, the flying frame has a vertical takeoff and landing mode and a forward flight mode, the flying frame has a manned flight mode and an unmanned flight mode, and the flying frame is operable to jettison the pod assembly during flight; and wherein, in the vertical takeoff and landing mode, the first and second wing members are above the pod assembly and wherein, in the forward flight mode, the first wing member is below the pod assembly and the second wing member is above the pod assembly. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15)
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16. A method of operating an aircraft comprising:
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providing a flying frame including an airframe having first and second wing members, a propulsion system attached to the airframe and a flight control system operably associated with the propulsion system; selectively attaching the flying frame to a pod assembly having an aerodynamic outer shape; lifting the pod assembly into the air in a vertical takeoff and landing mode of the aircraft wherein the first wing member is forward of the pod assembly and the second wing member is aft of the pod assembly; transitioning the aircraft between the vertical takeoff and landing mode and a forward flight mode wherein the first wing member is below the pod assembly and the second wing member is above the pod assembly; transporting the pod assembly in the forward flight mode of the aircraft; performing the lifting, transitioning and transporting in a manned flight mode; performing the lifting, transitioning and transporting in an unmanned flight mode; and jettisoning the pod assembly from the flying frame during flight. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification