Reconfigurable payload systems (RPS) for aircraft and methods related thereto
First Claim
1. A reconfigurable payload system (RPS), comprising one or more external payload attachment features mechanically coupled to extend across a given section of a fuselage of an aircraft, the one or more external payload attachment features being configured to be attached to external payload components, external fairings, or a combination thereof, where the external payload attachment features comprise at least one mounting adapter section mechanically coupled to the aircraft fuselage across the given section of the aircraft fuselage;
- where the mounting adapter section includes at least one of;
one or more payload rails having multiple regularly-spaced rail fastener locations provided on each rail that are configured to align with and be selectably attached to mating payload fastener locations of an interchangeable external payload component that has a payload fastener location spacing that is complementary to the regular spacing of the rail fastener locations;
ormultiple payload hardpoints having regularly-spaced hardpoint fastener locations provided on each payload hardpoint that are configured to align with and be selectably attached to mating payload fastener locations of an interchangeable external payload component that has a payload fastener location spacing that is complementary to the regular spacing of the hardpoint fastener locations; and
where the mounting adapter section is mechanically coupled to extend across the given section of the aircraft fuselage such that;
the rail fastener location spacing remains regular across the payload rail of the mounting adapter section so as to allow the mating payload fastener locations of the interchangeable external payload component to align with and simultaneously attach to mating regularly-spaced rail fastener locations on the mounting adapter section to mechanically couple the interchangeable external payload component to the aircraft fuselage with the mounting adapter positioned between the aircraft fuselage and the interchangeable external payload component and with the rails of the mounting adapter supporting the interchangeable external payload component in a position spaced apart from the aircraft fuselage, orthe hardpoint fastener location spacing remains regular across the payload hardpoints of the mounting adapter section so as to allow the mating payload fastener locations of the interchangeable external payload component to align with and simultaneously attach to mating regularly-spaced hardpoint fastener locations on the mounting adapter section to mechanically couple the interchangeable external payload component to the aircraft fuselage with the mounting adapter positioned between the aircraft fuselage and the interchangeable external payload component and with the hard points of the mounting adapter supporting the interchangeable external payload component in a position spaced apart from the aircraft fuselage; and
comprising a RPS disconnect panel assembly mechanically attached to the interior of the aircraft.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Reconfigurable payload systems (RPS) and methods of configuring and using the same are disclosed that may be employed to enable external aircraft payloads to be rapidly interchanged or swapped out together with associated internal equipment within a given aircraft so as to modify or change payload capability of the aircraft, e.g., to meet a particular mission and/or to enable use of future payload types as they are developed. The RPS and associated methods may be implemented to allow multiple different payload systems to be swapped in and out on a given aircraft as required based on needs for a given mission.
17 Citations
29 Claims
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1. A reconfigurable payload system (RPS), comprising one or more external payload attachment features mechanically coupled to extend across a given section of a fuselage of an aircraft, the one or more external payload attachment features being configured to be attached to external payload components, external fairings, or a combination thereof, where the external payload attachment features comprise at least one mounting adapter section mechanically coupled to the aircraft fuselage across the given section of the aircraft fuselage;
- where the mounting adapter section includes at least one of;
one or more payload rails having multiple regularly-spaced rail fastener locations provided on each rail that are configured to align with and be selectably attached to mating payload fastener locations of an interchangeable external payload component that has a payload fastener location spacing that is complementary to the regular spacing of the rail fastener locations;
ormultiple payload hardpoints having regularly-spaced hardpoint fastener locations provided on each payload hardpoint that are configured to align with and be selectably attached to mating payload fastener locations of an interchangeable external payload component that has a payload fastener location spacing that is complementary to the regular spacing of the hardpoint fastener locations; and where the mounting adapter section is mechanically coupled to extend across the given section of the aircraft fuselage such that; the rail fastener location spacing remains regular across the payload rail of the mounting adapter section so as to allow the mating payload fastener locations of the interchangeable external payload component to align with and simultaneously attach to mating regularly-spaced rail fastener locations on the mounting adapter section to mechanically couple the interchangeable external payload component to the aircraft fuselage with the mounting adapter positioned between the aircraft fuselage and the interchangeable external payload component and with the rails of the mounting adapter supporting the interchangeable external payload component in a position spaced apart from the aircraft fuselage, or the hardpoint fastener location spacing remains regular across the payload hardpoints of the mounting adapter section so as to allow the mating payload fastener locations of the interchangeable external payload component to align with and simultaneously attach to mating regularly-spaced hardpoint fastener locations on the mounting adapter section to mechanically couple the interchangeable external payload component to the aircraft fuselage with the mounting adapter positioned between the aircraft fuselage and the interchangeable external payload component and with the hard points of the mounting adapter supporting the interchangeable external payload component in a position spaced apart from the aircraft fuselage; and comprising a RPS disconnect panel assembly mechanically attached to the interior of the aircraft. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
- where the mounting adapter section includes at least one of;
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12. A method of operating an aircraft, comprising:
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providing one or more external payload attachment features mechanically coupled to extend across a given section of a fuselage of the aircraft; and attaching external payload components, external fairings, or a combination thereof to the one or more external payload attachment features; where the external payload attachment features comprise at least one mounting adapter section mechanically coupled to the aircraft fuselage across the given section of the aircraft fuselage, the mounting adapter section including at least one of; one or more payload rails having multiple regularly-spaced rail fastener locations provided on each rail that are configured to align with and be selectably attached to mating payload fastener locations of an interchangeable external payload component that has a payload fastener location spacing that is complementary to the regular spacing of the rail fastener locations and the method further comprising aligning the mating payload fastener locations with the rail fastener locations and attaching the mating payload fastener locations to the aligned rail fastener locations, or multiple payload hardpoints having regularly-spaced hardpoint fastener locations provided on each payload hardpoint that are configured to align with and be selectably attached to mating payload fastener locations of an interchangeable external payload component that has a payload fastener location spacing that is complementary to the regular spacing of the hardpoint fastener locations and the method further comprising aligning the mating payload fastener locations with the hardpoint fastener locations and attaching the mating payload fastener locations to the aligned hardpoint fastener locations; and where the mounting adapter section is mechanically coupled to extend across the given section of the aircraft fuselage such that such that; the rail fastener location spacing remains regular across the payload rail of the mounting adapter section so as to allow the mating payload fastener locations of the interchangeable external payload component to align with and simultaneously attach to mating regularly-spaced rail fastener locations on the mounting adapter section to mechanically couple the interchangeable external payload component to the aircraft fuselage with the mounting adapter positioned between the aircraft fuselage and the interchangeable external payload component and with the rails of the mounting adapter supporting the interchangeable external payload component in a position spaced apart from the aircraft fuselage, or the hardpoint fastener location spacing remains regular across the payload hardpoints of the mounting adapter section so as to allow the mating payload fastener locations of the interchangeable external payload component to align with and simultaneously attach to mating regularly-spaced hardpoint fastener locations on the mounting adapter section to mechanically couple the interchangeable external payload component to the aircraft fuselage with the mounting adapter positioned between the aircraft fuselage and the interchangeable external payload component and with the hard points of the mounting adapter supporting the interchangeable external payload component in a position spaced apart from the aircraft fuselage; and coupling a reconfigurable payload system disconnect panel assembly to the interior of the aircraft fuselage adjacent a location of the external payload attachment features. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29)
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Specification