Abstract: Systems, methods, and software described herein provide enhancements for the deployment and management of sensor resources across spaceborne, airborne, and ground-based physical nodes. In one implementation, a method includes collecting sensor data from physical sensors distributed over a geographic region, and establishing logical sensors based at least on requirements indicated by data requestors. The method includes allocating selected portions of the sensor data to the logical sensors to form composite sensor data based on locations monitored by the physical sensors that correspond to the requirements, and providing the composite data in one or more data streams to the data requestors as originating from the logical sensors.

Abstract: Provided herein are various improvements to optical-inertial stabilization systems, such as those employed on electro-optical systems that receive or emit optical energy. In one example, a system includes an optical reference element rigidly coupled to a primary mirror. The optical reference element propagates a reference signal through optic elements that form at least a portion of an optical path corresponding to the primary mirror. A measurement of the reference signal is made after propagation through the optic elements to determine errors associated with the optical path. The system can also include inertial sensors rigidly coupled to the primary mirror and optical reference element to form an assembly. The inertial sensors are configured to measure inertial rotation of the assembly. Rotational adjustments about two axes can be produced for the assembly based at least on the inertial rotation properties to correct for disturbance or drift.

Abstract: An actuation system for an aircraft can include an actuator and a plurality of clutches connected to and structured to be moved by the actuator. The actuation system can include a plurality of control levers connected to the plurality of clutches and structured to be moved by the plurality of clutches when the plurality of clutches are moved by the actuator. The actuation system can include a processor connected to the actuator and to the plurality of clutches. The processor can identify one or more clutches connected to one or more control levers of the plurality of control levers for controlling an operation of the aircraft, and cause the one or more clutches connected to the one or more control levers to be in an engaged stat. The processor can activate the actuator to cause movement of the one or more control levers via the one or more clutches.

Abstract: A hybrid propulsion system extracts electrical power using a combined heat engine and electrical generator. The propulsion system includes a gas generator, an electrical power generator disposed upstream of the gas generator and configured to be driven by a power turbine, an output power shaft mated to the power turbine and extending through a central axis of the gas generator and power generator unit, an engine enclosure circumferentially surrounding the power generator, and a shroud disposed between the power generator and the engine enclosure. The electrical power generator includes at least one rotating member and a stationary conductive member. The at least one rotating member includes a magnetic portion, and rotation of the at least one rotating member relative to stationary conductive member generates a current transmissible by one or more coupled power output cables.

Abstract: A rotor blade assembly for a rotary wing aircraft includes a main rotor blade body comprising an upper blade skin, a lower blade skin, an inboard end, an outboard end, and a trailing edge. The rotor blade assembly further includes a trailing edge actuator assembly. The trailing edge actuator assembly includes an upper actuator skin and a lower actuator skin defining a cavity and a trailing edge flap, a control panel disposed in the cavity and coupled to one of the upper actuator skin or the lower actuator skin and one or more actuators disposed in the cavity and configured to apply force to the control panel to cause the trailing edge flap to deflect. The trailing edge actuator assembly is coupled to the trailing edge of the main rotor blade body.

Abstract: A rotary wing aircraft includes a single main rotor hub configured to receive a rotor blade. The rotor blade includes a blade root, a blade tip, and a blade body. The blade body includes a leading edge and a trailing edge and defines a feathering axis. The leading edge and the trailing edge each include a first portion and a second portion that extend toward a first direction and a second portion, respectively. At a given radial location along the feathering axis, a local twist angle changes from a positive value to a negative value, a chord length decreases in value, a distance between the trailing edge and the feathering axis decreases in value, and the first portion of the leading edge extends toward the first direction. The rotor blade assembly also includes a trailing edge assembly having a trailing edge flap configured to be selectively deployed by an actuator.

Abstract: A rotatable swashplate is rotatable relative to a stationary swashplate around a shaft and connects to a pitch control rod assembly. The rotatable swashplate includes an upper portion and a lower portion. The upper portion is extendable outside of a stationary swashplate and includes a plurality of lugs each configured to attach to a pitch control rod assembly, an innermost wall configured to receive a shaft, and a membrane. The lower portion is positionable within the stationary swashplate and has an outermost wall and at least one extension extending radially between the outermost wall and the innermost wall. The membrane extends radially over the at least one extension.

Abstract: An apparatus for securing first and second skins to a core in a composite rotor blade includes an elongated member configured to be installed through a passage in the core of the composite rotor blade. The elongated member has a first end configured to be attached to an outer surface of the first skin and a second end configured to be attached to an outer surface of the second skin. The apparatus also includes a first patch configured to adhere the first end to the outer surface of the first skin, and a second patch configured to adhere the second end to the outer surface of the second skin such the elongated member extends from the outer surfaces of the first and second skins through the passage in the core.

Abstract: A fusion reactor includes a fusion plasma reactor chamber. A magnetic coil structure is disposed inside of the fusion plasma reactor chamber, and a structural component is also disposed inside of the fusion plasma reactor chamber. The structural component couples the magnetic coil structure to the fusion plasma reactor chamber. A superconducting material is disposed at least partially within the structural component. A plurality of cooling channels are disposed at least partially within the structural component. An insulating material is disposed at least partially within the structural component.

Abstract: Enhanced components and assemblies for microwave radio frequency (RF) antenna feed systems are provided. One example includes radiating probes that propagate RF signals to intermediate waveguides that feed polarizers or filters associated with horn antenna elements. The radiating probes can couple to corresponding transmit/receive circuitry using coaxial link elements. The radiating probes comprise tunable components which can be shaped/sized to produce desired output characteristics (e.g., frequency ranges and gain properties). Many radiating probes can be integrated into a cover plate assembly that feeds an array of horn antennas. Interface elements with integrated waveguides can provide RF sealing between radiating probes and provide radiative coupling from radiating probes to corresponding waveguides that feed the array of horn antennas.

Abstract: An additive friction stir deposition system for refractory metals is disclosed herein. The additive friction stir deposition system includes a tool assembly and an induction element. The tool assembly includes a metal shaft defining a shaft central channel, and a ceramic tip defining a tip central channel. The metal shaft and the ceramic tip are configured to interlock to prevent relative rotation therebetween. The induction element is positioned adjacent to the ceramic tip. As a refractory metal feedstock is fed through the shaft central channel and the tip central channel, the induction element heats the portion of the refractory metal feedstock within the tip central channel, but does not heat the ceramic tip itself. Accordingly, the refractory metal feedstock can be heated prior to application to a workpiece without heating the tip of the tool assembly, improving performance of the additive friction stir deposition system and the resulting workpiece.

Abstract: According to an aspect, an ejector member includes an annular member; a vent arranged at the annular member, the vent having an inlet at a first surface of the annular member, the vent further having an outlet arranged radially inward from a second surface of the annular member; and a vane extending radially inward from the second surface of the annular member.

Abstract: A propeller system for a tail section of an aircraft includes a propeller hub located at the tail section of the aircraft, a plurality of propeller blades mounted to and extending outwardly from the propeller hub, a propeller shaft coupled to the propeller hub and operable to rotate the propeller hub about an axis of rotation, and a propeller gearbox connected to the propeller shaft. The propeller gearbox is fluidly cooled by an airflow within the tail section. A spinner assembly surrounds the propeller hub. The spinner assembly includes at least one outlet opening formed therein downstream from the propeller hub relative to the airflow. The spinner assembly is rotatable to draw the airflow into at least one cooling flow inlet formed in the tail section and across the propeller gearbox to cool the propeller gearbox and out the at least one outlet opening.

Abstract: A rotor blade assembly includes a rotor blade having inboard and outboard regions, a blade body, and an internal spar, the blade body defining leading and trailing edges. A trailing edge assembly extends from and is connected to the trailing edge, and has a trailing edge flap and an actuator configured to deploy the trailing edge flap between first and second positions. In one of the first and second positions, an upper surface of the trailing edge flap conforms in profile to an upper surface of the rotor blade, and in the other, the trailing edge flap is inclined relative to the blade. During hovering flight, at least one trailing edge flap segment is deflected to enhance hover performance. During forward flight, at least one trailing edge flap segment is either not deflected for reduced effect on forward flight or is deflected for additional thrust.

Abstract: A deployment system for a spacecraft may include a fitting for coupling a deployable device to the spacecraft, and a moment bearing shear ball assembly. The moment bearing shear ball assembly may include a shear ball engaged within the fitting, and a moment collar mounted onto the shear ball. The moment collar may have a planar surface engaged with a planar surface of the fitting. A separation interface may be defined between at least one of (1) mating surfaces of the fitting and the shear ball and (2) mating surfaces of the fitting and the moment collar. Engagement of the shear ball within the fitting constrains shear forces in at least two axes and axial forces in at least a third axis. Engagement of the moment collar with the shear ball and the fitting constrains overturning moments of the shear ball about at least two axes, and axial forces in at least a third axis.

Abstract: An aircraft includes an airframe, and a coaxial main rotor assembly including a static mast and an upper rotor assembly and a lower rotor assembly rotatable about a main rotor axis defined by the static mast. The upper rotor assembly and the lower rotor assembly are independently rotatable about the static mast. A propulsion system includes at least one propulsion source for directly driving at least one of the upper rotor assembly and the lower rotor assembly and a flight control system is operably coupled to the propulsion system. The flight control system is operable to independently control a rotational speed of the upper rotor assembly and the lower rotor assembly relative to the static mast.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to apparatuses, systems, and methods for controlling an aircraft. A computing system may identify a first command signal received via a flight control at a time point to control navigation of the aircraft through an environment. The computing system may attenuate the first command signal using a fade function over a time window relative to the time point to generate a second command signal. The computing system may input the second command signal to a model to generate predicted paths for the aircraft through the environment over the time window. The computing system may determine that at least one predicted path intersects with an obstacle in the environment during the time window. The computing system may generate a location to which to navigate the aircraft to avoid the obstacle. The computing system may perform an action to direct the aircraft to the location.

Abstract: A rotor blade assembly of an aircraft having a rotor hub including a structural member having an inboard end and an outboard end, the structural member being connectable with the rotor hub. A spar surrounds the structural member and extends at least partially along a rotor blade axis. A pitch bearing assembly supports the spar relative to the structural member. The pitch bearing assembly includes an inboard pitch bearing mounted to the inboard end of the structural member and an outboard pitch bearing mounted to the outboard end of the structural member. The rotor blade assembly additionally includes a centrifugal assembly including a centrifugal bearing disposed between the inboard pitch bearing and the outboard pitch bearing relative to the rotor blade axis.

Abstract: In one embodiment, systems and methods include using a workforce augmenting inspection device (“WAND”) to measure a parameter of an aircraft. The WAND comprises a body, wherein the body comprises one or more buttons configured to actuate the WAND to perform one or more functions. The WAND further comprises a head comprising a camera and a light source, wherein the light source is disposed around the camera operable to produce light in conjunction with operation of the camera, wherein the camera is operable to capture an image within a scope of view of the camera. The WAND further comprises a standoff wheel, wherein the standoff wheel is operable to rotate independently of the head. The WAND further comprises a power source operable to provide power to the WAND, wherein the power source comprises a controller configured to actuate the head, camera, and light source.

Abstract: Provided herein are various improvements to laser communication ranging. In one example, a method includes combining a ranging signal with data communications into an optical transmission for receipt by a communication node, and obtaining an additional optical transmission transferred by the communication node comprising additional data communications combined with a retransmitted version of the ranging signal. The method includes determining an indication of a range to the communication node based at least on a comparison between properties of the ranging signal and properties of the retransmitted version of the ranging signal after separation from the additional data communications.