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High performance ‘X’-configuration airplane for storage and launch from a tubular container

  • US 8,444,082 B1
  • Filed: 08/19/2010
  • Issued: 05/21/2013
  • Est. Priority Date: 08/19/2009
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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1. An air vehicle comprising:

  • a fuselage;

    two aerodynamic surfaces, each aerodynamic surface having a first free end and a second free end and a central common pivot axis between the first and second free ends;

    wherein both aerodynamic surfaces are rotatably mounted on opposite sides of the fuselage along the common pivot axis with at least one pivot mechanism, wherein in a stowed configuration, both aerodynamic surfaces are parallel to the fuselage for stowage of the aircraft in a container;

    means for pushing the aerodynamic surfaces into a final deployed X-shaped configuration in which the aerodynamic surfaces extend laterally from the fuselage in a swept forward position with each aerodynamic surface having the first free end positioned forward of the pivot axis and the second free end positioned aft of the pivot axis,wherein the aircraft has no vertical stabilizer or rudder system on the fuselage,wherein each of the aerodynamic surfaces includes a winglet, and wherein the winglets are canted in opposite directions, such that the winglets do not contact each other in the stowed configuration.

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