Abstract: Offline task-based feature processing for aerial vehicles is provided. A system can extract features from a world model generated using sensor information captured by sensors mounted on an aerial vehicle. The system generates a label for each of the features and identifies identify processing levels based on the features. The system selects a processing level for each feature of a subset of features based on a task performed by the aerial vehicle and the label associated with the feature. The system generates one or more processed features by applying the processing level to a respective feature of the subset of the plurality of features. The system presents the one or more processed features on a display device of the aerial vehicle.

Abstract: A replacement tip section for a rotor blade, from which a legacy tip section was removed, includes a blade tip portion configured to be attached to an intermediate section of the rotor blade after removal of the legacy section. The intermediate section has a connection feature at an end of the intermediate section to which the blade tip portion is attachable. The replacement tip section includes a transition region configured to be attached to a forward end of the connection feature. The transition region is configured to form a leading edge of the rotor blade and extends from the blade tip portion to form an opening into which the intermediate section is attached. The transition region includes a first end having a first airfoil that conforms to the intermediate section airfoil at the connection feature, and a second end having a second airfoil that conforms to the blade tip portion.

Abstract: An extension assembly for a rotor system for rotating a plurality of rotor blades about a rotor axis with a central rotor hub that defines the rotor axis includes a beam assembly and a first bearing assembly. The beam assembly is configured to attach to the central rotor hub and is positioned at least partially within a corresponding one of the plurality of rotor blades. The first bearing assembly is configured to be fastened to the beam assembly and to at least one of a leading edge or a trailing edge of the corresponding one of the plurality of rotor blades.

Abstract: A learning SONAR system and method including receiving, at an input, mission parameters including one or more of mission accuracy, mission covertness, learning rate, and training matrix dependency; transmitting pulsed signals; receiving return pulsed signals, for instance, using a tunable acoustic receiver having controllable receiver elements; and determining a number of the controllable receiver elements to generate estimates of altitude and 3D velocity based on a combination of transmit power, signal-to-noise ratio, and altitude range using an adaptive spatial sampler of a learning controller.

Abstract: An aircraft and method of operating an aircraft. The aircraft includes a temperature sensor and a processor. The temperature sensor that obtains an optical signal indicative of a temperature at a selected location of an outer surface of the aircraft. The processor is configured to determine the temperature at the selected location from the optical signal, and operate the aircraft based on the temperature at the selected location.

Abstract: A communication system includes a vehicle communication assembly connected to a vehicle, including a transmitter and a receiver, and configured to wirelessly communicate with a remote entity, and a processing device and a memory coupled to the processing device. The memory includes computer-executable instructions that, when executed by the processing device, cause the processing device to receive a wireless signal including a speech communication from the remote entity at the receiver, analyze the wireless signal by a speech recognition module to identify the speech communication, and recognize a known directive within the speech communication based on stored contextual information.

Abstract: An optical aperture system is provided that includes a photonic integrated circuit. The photonic integrated circuit includes a plurality of apertures, a plurality of optical phase shifters coupled to respective apertures of the plurality of apertures, an optical splitter-combiner coupled to the plurality of optical phase shifters, an optical switch coupled to the optical splitter-combiner, a light source coupled to the optical switch, and a photodetector coupled to the optical switch. The optical aperture system further includes a controller configured to execute a first set of instructions to control the plurality of optical phase shifters and the light source in accordance with a first operating mode of a plurality of operating modes of the optical aperture system, and a processor configured to execute a second set of instructions to process an output of the photodetector in accordance with the first operating mode of the optical aperture system.

Abstract: According to an aspect, a computer-implemented method for water volume estimation includes detecting water based at least in part on sensor-based data; determining a volume of water based at least in part on the sensor-based data; determining a location at the water for an aircraft to retrieve water via a water retrieving apparatus; and translating the location of the water into pilot inputs to guide the aircraft to the water.

Abstract: A friction stir processing system can include a rotatable die assembly. The rotatable die assembly can include a die body and a plurality of die segments. The die body includes a die base and a die stem. The die stem extends axially from the die base, the die stem defines an extrusion cavity, and the die body is formed from a first material. The plurality of die stems are coupled to the die stem. The plurality of die segments are disposed around the extrusion cavity to collectively form a die surface opposite to the die base. The plurality of die segments are formed from a different material than the die body.

Abstract: A system includes a first structure having an upper surface coupled to a second structure by a fastener assembly including a bushing positioned within an opening in the upper surface of the first structure. An inner opening of the bushing defines an inner diameter, and a fastener is at least partially positioned within the bushing. An outer surface of the fastener defines an outer diameter of the fastener. The bushing and the fastener are configured such that a space between the outer surface of the fastener and the inner opening of the bushing defines a gap which increases in size in a direction extending from the upper surface to the lower surface of the first structure.

Abstract: An extension assembly for a rotor system for rotating a plurality of rotor blades about a rotor axis with a central rotor hub that defines the rotor axis includes a beam assembly and a first bearing assembly. The beam assembly is configured to attach to the central rotor hub and is positioned at least partially within a corresponding one of the plurality of rotor blades. The first bearing assembly is configured to be fastened to the beam assembly and to at least one of a leading edge or a trailing edge of the corresponding one of the plurality of rotor blades.

Abstract: Provided herein are various leptonic power sources, leptonic control systems, and leptonic-powered engines. In one example, an apparatus includes a housing having apertures through which material can enter and exit, and an anode coupled to the housing upstream from a cathode. A leptonic source emits beam electrons into the housing to ionize the material into a plasma according to a selectable ionization degree and deposit charge onto the cathode to establish an electric field in the plasma. A magnetic field source produces a magnetic field in the plasma at selectable angle to the flow of the plasma to at least partially entrain plasma electrons. Ions of the plasma are accelerated downstream in the housing by the electric field and impart momentum to a portion of the material to produce a thrust proportional to the selectable ionization degree of the plasma and a selectable intensity of the electric field.

Abstract: In one embodiment, an apparatus includes a first seal and a perforated cover. The first seal may comprise one or more inlet apertures and be located proximate to an opening into an interior of a nacelle. The perforated cover may be slidably engaged with the first seal and configured to vary an amount of air allowed into the interior of the nacelle.

Abstract: Provided herein are various enhancements for panel inserts which can provide for mounting of threaded fasteners or other mounting members into various panels. In one example, a panel insert carrier comprises a barrel having flanged ends. The barrel comprising an axial bore therein having a threaded surface configured to removably accept a threaded insert. At least one of the flanged ends comprises an aperture for injection of potting around an exterior of the barrel when inserted into a bore hole of a panel.

Abstract: A rotor system for a rotary wing aircraft includes a rotor hub including a first beam attachment member and a second beam attachment member. A hub arm including a U-shaped beam member is connected to the rotor hub. The U-shaped beam member includes a first end portion, a second end portion and an intermediate section connecting the first and second end portions. The first end portion is connected at the first beam attachment member. The second end portion is connected at the second beam attachment member. A pitch change bearing is mounted between the first and second beam attachment member through the first end portion and the second end portion.

Abstract: An antenna element includes a radiator element, a plurality of feed circuits and a multiplexing interface. The radiator element can transceive radio-frequency (RF) signals. The feed circuits, which include impedance and multiplexing features, are realized on multiple feed locations of the radiating element feed slot. The multiplexing interface is electrically coupled to the plurality of feed circuits and can multiplex a number of sub-band signals associated with the feed circuits. The multiplexing interface can provide a high isolation between the feed circuits.

Abstract: A swashplate assembly of a rotary wing aircraft includes a first component, a second component arranged concentrically with the first component, and a bearing disposed between the first component and the second component. The bearing includes a spherical bearing and at least one bearing roller element and is operable to transmit torque between the first component and the second component.

Abstract: A system comprising a scanner to scan an ear and a processor to receive, from the scanner, a non-manifold three-dimensional (3D) digital surface model (DSM) scan data representative of a non-manifold 3D surface model of the auditory canal and the concha of the ear. The 3D surface model is an outer boundary surface for an earpiece appliance. The processor determines an extrema boundary located at a free edge of the 3D surface model; recognizes anatomical features including a cymba concha and auditory canal peak; modifies the 3D surface model relative to the anatomical features by creating a base boundary plane for the appliance, offset some distance from the extrema boundary; creates a closed volume within and between the outer boundary surface, the extrema boundary and the base boundary plane to form a solid 3D earpiece appliance; and causes a computer-aided manufacturing device to manufacture the solid 3D earpiece appliance.

Abstract: A technique relates to interactive aircraft operation. An interactive electronic checklist is selected from a plurality of interactive electronic checklists, the interactive electronic checklists each comprising checklist tasks. It is perceived that one or more of the checklist tasks in the interactive electronic checklist is executable by an autonomous system. The one or more of the checklist tasks is performed using the autonomous system, an operator being designated to perform any other ones of the checklist tasks.

Abstract: A system and method that uses scheduling problems as proof of work in a blockchain system, and that evaluate schedules based on a physics model and a timeline. The system and method can maintain a secured chain of linked messages that include object states and schedule portions. Processing circuitry can receive a message related to an updated state of an object, determine whether the updated state of the object should be linked into the secured chain of linked messages, determine a portion of a schedule for addressing the object based on the updated state of the object as proof of work, create a new message that links the updated state of the object into the secured chain to form an updated chain of linked object state messages and that includes the determined portion of the schedule, and broadcast the new message as the secured chain of linked messages.