Transformable airplane

• US 20050178912A1
• Filed: 01/30/2004
• Published: 08/18/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 01/30/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: The Boeing Co.
• Original Assignee: The Boeing Co.
• Inventors: Whelan, David A., Liebeck, Robert H., Brown, Derrell L.
• Granted Patent: US 7,093,798 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 244/120
• CPC Class Codes: B64C 1/0009 Aerodynamic aspects
• CPC Class Codes: B64C 1/065 Spars
• CPC Class Codes: B64C 1/10 Bulkheads
• CPC Class Codes: B64C 2001/0045 Fuselages characterised by special shapes
• CPC Class Codes: B64C 2039/105 of blended wing body type
• CPC Class Codes: B64C 2211/00 Modular constructions of airplanes or helicopters
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 2011/0046 Modular or preassembled units for creating cabin interior structures
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 39/00 Refuelling during flight filling or emptying fuel tanks B64D37/14

Abstract

A transformable airplane may be reconfigured easily and rapidly to perform any one or a combination of tanking, transport, bombing, or command and control missions as desired for a tactical situation by installing or replacing mission-specific modules as desired. A reconfigurable aircraft includes a pair of wings and an aircraft body having at least one bay defined in an interior of the aircraft body. The at least one bay is configured to accept a plurality of removably replaceable modules that configure the aircraft to perform a plurality of missions. Transport mission modules may include space and tie-downs for cargo pallets and/or palletized seating. A roll-on/roll-off ramp may be provided. Tanking mission modules may include a remote aerial refueling operator station. Bombing mission modules may include a bomb rack and a bomb ejector. ISR mission modules may include command and control stations in signal communication with phased array antennas.

Claims

1. A reconfigurable aircraft comprising:

a pair of wings; and

an aircraft body having at least one bay defined in an interior of the aircraft body, the at least one bay being configured to accept a plurality of removably replaceable modules that configure the aircraft to perform a plurality of missions.

2. The aircraft of claim 1, further comprising a first removably replaceable module received in the interior of the aircraft, the first removably replaceable module being adapted for a transport aircraft mission.

3. The aircraft of claim 2, wherein the first removably replaceable module includes at least one cargo pallet.

4. The aircraft of claim 2, wherein the first removably replaceable module includes palletized seating.

5. The aircraft of claim 2, further comprising a roll-on/roll-off ramp.

6. The aircraft of claim 1, further comprising a first removably replaceable module received in the interior of the aircraft, the first removably replaceable module being adapted for a bomber aircraft mission.

7. The aircraft of claim 6, wherein the first removably replaceable module includes a bomb ejector.

8. The aircraft of claim 7, wherein the bomb ejector includes a rotary bomb ejector disposed toward an aft end of the aircraft body.

9. The aircraft of claim 1, further comprising a first removably replaceable module received in the interior of the aircraft, the first removably replaceable module being adapted for a tanker aircraft mission.

10. The aircraft of claim 9, wherein the first removably replaceable module includes a remote aerial refueling operator station.

11. The aircraft of claim 1Q, further comprising at least one mounting fixture configured to receive at least one of an air refueling boom and an air refueling hose and drogue.

12. The aircraft of claim 11, further comprising at least one of an air refueling boom and an air refueling hose and drogue.

13. The aircraft of claim 1, wherein the aircraft body includes a blended wing body.

14. The aircraft of claim 1, wherein the aircraft body includes a tube-and-wing aircraft body.

15. A reconfigurable aircraft comprising:

a pair of wings;

an aircraft body having at least one bay defined in an interior of the aircraft body, the at least one bay being configured to accept a plurality of removably replaceable modules that configure the aircraft to perform a plurality of missions;

a first removably replaceable module received in the interior of the aircraft, the first removably replaceable module being adapted for a transport aircraft mission; and

a second removably replaceable module received in the interior of the aircraft, the second removably replaceable module being adapted for a tanker aircraft mission.

16. The aircraft of claim 15, wherein the first removably replaceable module includes at least one cargo pallet.

17. The aircraft of claim 15, wherein the first removably replaceable module includes palletized seating.

18. The aircraft of claim 15, further comprising a roll-on/roll-off ramp.

19. The aircraft of claim 15, wherein the second removably replaceable module includes a remote aerial refueling operator station.

20. The aircraft of claim 19, further comprising at least one mounting fixture configured to receive at least one of an air refueling boom and an air refueling hose and drogue.

21. The aircraft of claim 20, further comprising at least one of an air refueling boom and an air refueling hose and drogue.

22. The aircraft of claim 15, wherein the aircraft body includes a blended wing body.

23. The aircraft of claim 15, wherein the aircraft body includes a tube-and-wing aircraft body.

24. A reconfigurable aircraft comprising:

a pair of wings;

an aircraft body having at least one bay defined in an interior of the aircraft body, the at least one bay being configured to accept a plurality of removably replaceable modules that configure the aircraft to perform a plurality of missions;

a first removably replaceable module received in the interior of the aircraft, the first removably replaceable module being adapted for a transport aircraft mission;

a second removably replaceable module received in the interior of the aircraft, the second removably replaceable module being adapted for a tanker aircraft mission; and

a third removably replaceable module received in the interior of the aircraft, the third removably replaceable module being adapted for a bomber aircraft mission.

25. The aircraft of claim 24, wherein the first removably replaceable module includes at least one cargo pallet.

26. The aircraft of claim 24, wherein the first removably replaceable module includes palletized seating.

27. The aircraft of claim 24, further comprising a roll-on/roll-off ramp.

28. The aircraft of claim 24, wherein the second removably replaceable module includes a remote aerial refueling operator station.

29. The aircraft of claim 28, further comprising at least one mounting fixture configured to receive at least one of an air refueling boom and an air refueling hose and drogue.

30. The aircraft of claim 28, further comprising at least one of an air refueling boom and an air refueling hose and drogue.

31. The aircraft of claim 24, wherein the third removably replaceable module includes a bomb ejector.

32. The aircraft of claim 31, wherein the bomb ejector includes a rotary bomb ejector disposed toward an aft end of the aircraft body.

33. The aircraft of claim 24, wherein the aircraft body includes a blended wing body.

34. The aircraft of claim 24, wherein the aircraft body includes a tube-and-wing aircraft body.

35. A reconfigurable aircraft comprising:

a pair of wings;

an aircraft body having at least one bay defined in an interior of the aircraft body, the at least one bay being configured to accept a plurality of removably replaceable modules that configure the aircraft to perform a plurality of missions;

a cargo door disposed in a forward portion of the aircraft body;

a plurality of rollers provided in a deck of the aircraft body; and

at least one attachment point adapted to mount a mounting fixture that is configured to receive at least one of an air refueling boom and an air refueling hose and drogue.

36. The aircraft of claim 35, further comprising a first removably replaceable module received in the interior of the aircraft, the first removably replaceable module being adapted for a transport aircraft mission.

37. The aircraft of claim 36, wherein the first removably replaceable module includes at least one cargo pallet.

38. The aircraft of claim 36, wherein the first removably replaceable module includes palletized seating.

39. The aircraft of claim 36, further comprising a roll-on/roll-off ramp.

40. The aircraft of claim 35, further comprising a first removably replaceable module received in the interior of the aircraft, the first removably replaceable module being adapted for a bomber aircraft mission.

41. The aircraft of claim 40, wherein the first removably replaceable module includes a bomb ejector.

42. The aircraft of claim 41, wherein the bomb ejector includes a rotary bomb ejector disposed toward an aft end of the aircraft body.

43. The aircraft of claim 35, further comprising a first removably replaceable module received in the interior of the aircraft, the first removably replaceable module being adapted for a tanker aircraft mission.

44. The aircraft of claim 43, wherein the first removably replaceable module includes a remote aerial refueling operator station.

45. The aircraft of claim 43, further comprising at least one of an air refueling boom and an air refueling hose and drogue.

46. The aircraft of claim 35, wherein the aircraft body includes a blended wing body.

47. The aircraft of claim 35, wherein the aircraft body includes a tube-and-wing aircraft body.

48. A reconfigurable aircraft comprising:

a pair of wings;

an aircraft body having at least one bay defined in an interior of the aircraft body, the at least one bay being configured to accept a plurality of removably replaceable modules that configure the aircraft to perform a plurality of missions;

a cargo door disposed in a forward portion of the aircraft body;

a plurality of rollers provided in a deck of the aircraft body;

at least one attachment point that is adapted to mount a mounting fixture that is configured to receive at least one of an air refueling boom and an air refueling hose and drogue.

a first removably replaceable module received in the interior of the aircraft, the first removably replaceable module being adapted for a transport aircraft mission; and

a second removably replaceable module received in the interior of the aircraft, the second removably replaceable module being adapted for a tanker aircraft mission.

49. The aircraft of claim 48, wherein the first removably replaceable module includes at least one cargo pallet.

50. The aircraft of claim 48, wherein the first removably replaceable module includes palletized seating.

51. The aircraft of claim 48, further comprising a roll-on/roll-off ramp.

52. The aircraft of claim 48, wherein the second removably replaceable module includes a remote aerial refueling operator station.

53. The aircraft of claim 52, further comprising at least one of an air refueling boom and an air refueling hose and drogue.

54. The aircraft of claim 48, wherein the aircraft body includes a blended wing body.

55. The aircraft of claim 48, wherein the aircraft body includes a tube-and-wing aircraft body.

56. A reconfigurable aircraft comprising:

a pair of wings;

an aircraft body having at least one bay defined in an interior of the aircraft body, the at least one bay being configured to accept a plurality of removably replaceable modules that configure the aircraft to perform a plurality of missions;

a cargo door disposed in a forward portion of the aircraft body;

a plurality of rollers provided in a deck of the aircraft body;

at least one mounting fixture configured to receive at least one of an air refueling boom and an air refueling hose and drogue;

a first removably replaceable module received in the interior of the aircraft, the first removably replaceable module being adapted for a transport aircraft mission;

a second removably replaceable module received in the interior of the aircraft, the second removably replaceable module being adapted for a tanker aircraft mission; and

a third removably replaceable module received in the interior of the aircraft, the third removably replaceable module being adapted for a bomber aircraft mission.

57. The aircraft of claim 56, wherein the first removably replaceable module includes at least one cargo pallet.

58. The aircraft of claim 56, wherein the first removably replaceable module includes palletized seating.

59. The aircraft of claim 56, further comprising a roll-on/roll-off ramp.

60. The aircraft of claim 56, wherein the second removably replaceable module includes a remote aerial refueling operator station.

61. The aircraft of claim 60, further comprising at least one of an air refueling boom and an air refueling hose and drogue.

62. The aircraft of claim 56, wherein the third removably replaceable module includes a bomb ejector.

63. The aircraft of claim 62, wherein the bomb ejector includes a rotary bomb ejector disposed toward an aft end of the aircraft body.

64. The aircraft of claim 56, wherein the aircraft body includes a blended wing body.

65. The aircraft of claim 56, wherein the aircraft body includes a tube-and-wing aircraft body.

66. A reconfigurable aircraft comprising:

a pair of wings;

a plurality of antennas; and

an aircraft body having at least one bay defined in an interior of the aircraft body, the at least one bay being configured to accept a plurality of removably replaceable modules that configure the aircraft to perform a plurality of missions.

67. The aircraft of claim 66, further comprising a first removably replaceable module received in the interior of the aircraft, the first removably replaceable module coupled in signal communication with the plurality of phased array antennas, the first removably replaceable module being adapted for an intelligence/surveillance/reconnaissance aircraft mission.

68. The aircraft of claim 67, wherein the first removably replaceable module includes at least one command and control station.

69. The aircraft of claim 67, further comprising a second removably replaceable module received in the interior of the aircraft, the second removably replaceable module being adapted for a bomber aircraft mission.

70. The aircraft of claim 69, wherein the second removably replaceable module includes a bomb ejector.

71. The aircraft of claim 70, wherein the bomb ejector includes a rotary bomb ejector disposed toward an aft end of the aircraft body.

72. The aircraft of claim 66, wherein the aircraft body includes a blended wing body.

73. The aircraft of claim 66, wherein the aircraft body includes a tube-and-wing aircraft body.

74. The aircraft of claim 66, wherein the antennas include phased array antennas.

75. A reconfigurable aircraft comprising:

a pair of wings;

an aircraft body having at least one bay defined in an interior of the aircraft body, the at least one bay being configured to accept a plurality of removably replaceable modules that configure the aircraft to perform a plurality of missions;

a plurality of antennas;

a first removably replaceable module received in the interior of the aircraft, the first removably replaceable module coupled in signal communication with the plurality of phased array antennas, the first removably replaceable module being adapted for an ISR aircraft mission; and

a second removably replaceable module received in the interior of the aircraft, the second removably replaceable module being adapted for a bomber aircraft mission.

76. The aircraft of claim 75, wherein the first removably replaceable module includes at least one command and control station.

77. The aircraft of claim 75, wherein the second removably replaceable module includes a bomb ejector.

78. The aircraft of claim 77, wherein the bomb ejector includes a rotary bomb ejector disposed toward an aft end of the aircraft body.

79. The aircraft of claim 75, wherein the aircraft body includes a blended wing body.

80. The aircraft of claim 75, wherein the aircraft body includes a tube-and-wing aircraft body.

81. The aircraft of claim 75, wherein the antennas include phased array antennas.

82. A method of configuring an aircraft for a mission, the method comprising:

defining in an interior of an aircraft body at least one bay being configured to accept a plurality of removably replaceable modules that configure the aircraft to perform a plurality of missions; and

disposing within the at least one bay a first removably replaceable module adapted for a first aircraft mission.

83. The method of claim 82, further comprising disposing within a second bay a second removably replaceable module adapted for a second aircraft mission.

84. The method of claim 83, further comprising disposing within a third bay a third removably replaceable module adapted for a third aircraft mission.

85. The method of claim 82, wherein the first aircraft mission includes a transport mission.

86. The method of claim 83, wherein the second aircraft mission includes one of a tanker mission and a bomber mission.

87. The method of claim 84, wherein the third aircraft mission includes one of a tanker mission and a bomber mission.

88. The method of claim 84, wherein:

the first aircraft mission includes a transport mission;

the second aircraft mission includes a tanker mission; and

the third aircraft mission includes a bomber mission.

89. The method of claim 82, wherein the first mission includes an ISR mission.

90. The method of claim 83, wherein:

the first aircraft mission includes an ISR mission; and

the second aircraft mission includes a bomber mission.