Aircraft having pod assembly jettison capabilities
First Claim
1. An aircraft comprising:
- a flying frame including an airframe having first and second wings, 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 in which the first wing is forward of the pod assembly and the second wing is aft of the pod assembly;
wherein, the flying frame has a forward flight mode in which the first wing is below the pod assembly and the second wing is above the pod assembly;
wherein, the flying frame is operable for flight both with the pod assembly and without the pod assembly attached thereto; and
wherein, the flying frame is operable to jettison the pod assembly during flight.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An aircraft includes a flying frame and a pod assembly that is selectively attached to the flying frame. The pod assembly has an aerodynamic outer shape. The flying frame includes an airframe having first and second wings, a propulsion system attached to the airframe and a flight control system operably associated with the propulsion system. The flying frame has a vertical takeoff and landing mode in which the first wing is forward of the pod assembly and the second wing is aft of the pod assembly. The flying frame has a forward flight mode in which the first wing is below the pod assembly and the second wing is above the pod assembly. The flying frame is operable for flight both with the pod assembly and without the pod assembly attached thereto. The flying frame is operable to jettison the pod assembly during flight.
116 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 wings, 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 in which the first wing is forward of the pod assembly and the second wing is aft of the pod assembly; wherein, the flying frame has a forward flight mode in which the first wing is below the pod assembly and the second wing is above the pod assembly; wherein, the flying frame is operable for flight both with the pod assembly and without the pod assembly attached thereto; and wherein, the flying frame is operable to jettison the pod assembly during flight. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A method of operating an aircraft comprising:
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providing a flying frame including an airframe having first and second wings, a propulsion system attached to the airframe and a flight control system operably associated with the propulsion system; selectively attaching a pod assembly having an aerodynamic outer shape to the flying frame such that the flying frame has a first flight configuration with the pod assembly attached thereto and a second flight configuration without the pod assembly attached thereto; lifting the pod assembly into the air in a vertical takeoff and landing mode of the aircraft in which the first wing is forward of the pod assembly and the second wing is aft of the pod assembly; transitioning the aircraft between the vertical takeoff and landing mode and a forward flight mode in which the first wing is below the pod assembly and the second wing is above the pod assembly; transporting the pod assembly in the forward flight mode of the aircraft; and jettisoning the pod assembly from the flying frame during flight. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10)
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11. An aircraft comprising:
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a flying frame including an airframe having first and second wings, 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 in which the first wing is forward of the pod assembly and the second wing is aft of the pod assembly; wherein, the flying frame has a forward flight mode in which the first wing is below the pod assembly and the second wing is above the pod assembly; and wherein, the flying frame is operable to jettison the pod assembly during flight. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A method of operating an aircraft comprising:
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providing a flying frame including an airframe having first and second wings, a propulsion system attached to the airframe and a flight control system operably associated with the propulsion system; selectively attaching a pod assembly having an aerodynamic outer shape to the flying frame; lifting the pod assembly into the air in a vertical takeoff and landing mode of the aircraft in which the first wing is forward of the pod assembly and the second wing is aft of the pod assembly; transitioning the aircraft between the vertical takeoff and landing mode and a forward flight mode in which the first wing is below the pod assembly and the second wing is above the pod assembly; transporting the pod assembly in the forward flight mode of the aircraft; and jettisoning the pod assembly from the flying frame during flight. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20)
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Specification