Abstract: A computing system on an aircraft that is configured to perform operations including receiving historical data. The operations also include training a model using the historical data to produce a trained model. The operations also include receiving current pre-landing data for a current aircraft that is to land on a runway. The operations also include determining, during a time period before landing, a feasibility of a plurality of taxi exits on the runway based at least partially upon the trained model and the current pre-landing data. The operations also include selecting one of the taxi exits based at least partially upon the feasibility.

Abstract: A system for, and method of, authorizing usage of software developed in an application management platform are disclosed. The techniques include obtaining, from the application management platform, risk qualification parameters for the software; determining a risk qualification value from the risk qualification parameters; obtaining risk threshold parameters; determining a risk threshold value from the risk threshold parameters; comparing the risk qualification value to the risk threshold value to obtain an acceptability state for usage of the software; and performing an authority to operate action based on the acceptability state, where the authority to operate action includes at least one of: authorizing release of the software upon a positive acceptability state, or instructing the application management platform to send an alert upon a negative acceptability state.

Abstract: A system and a method include one or more sensors configured to detect one or more forces in relation to one or more components within an internal cabin of a vehicle. An imaging device is configured to acquire one or more images of the internal cabin of the vehicle. A control unit is in communication with the one or more sensors and the imaging device. The control unit is configured to determine one or more incidents within the internal cabin based on the one or more forces detected by the one or more sensors, and the one or more images acquired by the imaging device. The system and the method can also provide recommendations regarding actions to take in response determining incident(s).

Abstract: A tiltrotor includes a plurality of blades that are circumferentially offset from one another. The tiltrotor also includes a pitch mechanism configured to cause the blades to pitch from a first blade pitch to a second blade pitch. The pitch mechanism includes a pitch actuator configured to move from a first pitch actuator position to a second pitch actuator position. The pitch mechanism also includes a link coupled to the pitch actuator. The link is configured to transfer movement from the pitch actuator to the blades to thereby cause the blades to actuate from the first blade pitch to the second blade pitch in response to the pitch actuator moving from the first pitch actuator position to the second pitch actuator position. The link includes a first link portion, a second link portion, and a joint therebetween.

Abstract: A structural analysis system and method for efficiently analyzing a finite element model (for example, loads and model data) that represents a structure include identifying, by a model analysis control unit, elements of the finite element model, automatically grouping, by the model analysis control unit, the elements into sets, and associating, by the model analysis control unit, the sets with components of the structure.

Abstract: A friction stir welding (FSW) tool includes a pin configured to extend through a joint line between edges of two work pieces and to rotate to perform a FSW process that welds the two work pieces together at the joint line. A housing is coupled to a distal end of the pin to enable rotation of the pin relative to the housing. The housing includes a main body having one or more cooling channels having one or more arcuate segments. One or more sliders are coupled to the main body of the housing.

Abstract: An induction welding coil includes a spine having a planar body with opposing ends, and a pair of prongs extending perpendicularly from the opposing ends of the spine. Each of the prongs has a planar body, wherein the spine and the pair of prongs are formed from a ferrite material to define a ferrite core. The induction welding coil further includes a coil wire having a plurality of winding that surround the planar body of the spine.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for assembling an aircraft. The method includes receiving an upper half barrel section of fuselage that is in a crown up orientation and installing a crown module into the upper half barrel section.

Abstract: A system for refining a six degrees of freedom pose estimate of a target object based on a one-dimensional measurement includes a camera and a range-sensing device. The range-sensing device is configured to determine an actual distance measured between the range-sensing device and an actual point of intersection. The range-sensing device projects a line-of-sight that intersects with the target object at the actual point of intersection. The system also includes one or more processors in electronic communication with the camera and the range-sensing device and a memory coupled to the processors. The memory stores data into one or more databases and program code that, when executed by the processors, causes the system to predict the six degrees of freedom pose estimate of the target object. The system also determines a revised six degrees of freedom pose estimate of the target object based on at least an absolute error.

Abstract: A method is described. The method comprises obtaining a recording of one or more physical interactions performed in relation to one or more physical components, in a simulation environment, playing back the recording such that the one or more physical interactions are represented in the simulation environment, and in the simulation environment, detecting a user interaction with one or more physical components of the simulation environment. The method further comprises determining whether the user interaction is congruent with at least one corresponding physical interaction of the one or more physical interactions in the recording, and in response to such congruence, continuing playback of the recording in the simulation environment.

Abstract: Antenna elements include a metallic square ring patch and a metallic square ring slot to transmit or receive radio frequency (RF) signals. The antenna elements use several dielectric layers that are separated by a low-dielectric foam layer upon which the square ring patch is positioned. The disclosed antenna elements may be arranged together in an antenna array that is tunable to collectively generate or receive RF signals. In particular, the antenna array functions as a 256-element transmit/receive half-duplex antenna, operating in transmit or receive mode for half the time. The antenna array includes a radiator block, a transmit/receiver (T/R) amplifier block, a beamformer block, and a distribution network block.

Abstract: A composite structure has a first layer connect to a second layer to form a layered structure. The second layer has a plurality of base portions abutting the first layer and a plurality of beaded portions protruding from the plurality of base portions. Each beaded portion of the plurality of beaded portions defines a channel between the first layer and the second layer. A method for manufacturing a composite structure includes depositing composite material over a tool to form a second layer. The second layer has a plurality of beaded portions and a plurality of base portions. The method includes distributing a plurality of mandrels over the second layer to define channels in the plurality of beaded portions. The method includes depositing composite material over the second layer and the plurality of mandrels to form a first layer. The method includes bonding the first layer to the second layer.

Abstract: A process and a machine for reducing a profile of a flap system including forming a track housing within a flap system including: a foil and a track housing within the foil, two track housing lugs extending out from an opening therein and beyond a leading edge of the foil, and a track that has a curved shape configured to: support the foil; and guide a movement of the foil along the track. The flap system may include an anchor plate and an actuator configured to connect to the foil, and a pylon that includes: a length and a depth enclosing a section of a dual channel portion of the track extending out an exit hole of the track housing in the foil. The process may continue by attaching the anchor plate and the pylon to a wing, and the actuator to the anchor plate.

Abstract: Standards for non-destructive testing methodologies and methods of fabricating the standards are disclosed herein. The standards include a void-defect coupon that includes a spheroidal void and an elongated void. The spheroidal void has a maximum dimension and a spheroidal void volume. The elongated void had a longitudinal dimension, a maximum transverse dimension, and an elongated void volume. The longitudinal dimension of the elongated void is greater than the maximum dimension of the spheroidal void. The maximum transverse dimension of the elongated void is less than the maximum dimension of the spheroidal void. The methods include forming a first void-defect coupon and forming a second void-defect coupon.

Abstract: A helicopter rotor blade control pitch link for transmitting movement of a rotating swashplate to a rotor blade pitch horn includes a spring module. The spring module includes at least one elastic member configured to generate link compliance when a force is transferred through the pitch link from the rotating swashplate to the rotor blade pitch horn. A plurality of such rotor blade control pitch links is used in a helicopter rotor blade control system having a swashplate assembly operatively connected to each of a rotor shaft and a rotor having a plurality of rotor blades with respective rotor pitch horns. Each rotor blade pitch link is configured to control a pitch of one rotor blade via the corresponding rotor blade pitch horn.

Abstract: A linear actuator driven flap mechanism for an aircraft wing is contained within a wing support and fairing of the aircraft wing. The rib frame of the flap mechanism is attached to the wingbox structure of the aircraft wing at a first and second point. The rib frame of the flap mechanism defines a width with a first and second web. A linear actuator and a motion linkage are positioned with the width between the first and second webs of the rib frame. The linear actuator is not mechanically driven rotary actuation or mechanically driven linear actuation. As a result of the compact construction, the flap mechanism can be employed in thinner, smaller aircraft wings being designed today.

Abstract: Knit fabrics having ceramic strands, thermal protective members formed therefrom and to their methods of construction are disclosed. Methods for fabricating thermal protection using multiple materials which may be concurrently knit are also disclosed. This unique capability to knit high temperature ceramic fibers concurrently with a load-relieving process aid, such as an inorganic or organic material (e.g., metal alloy or polymer), both small diameter wires within the knit as well as large diameter wires which provide structural support and allow for the creation of near net-shape preforms at production level speed. Additionally, ceramic insulation can also be integrated concurrently to provide increased thermal protection.

Abstract: A method for providing localized jamming effects includes using a processor onboard a vehicle to perform the steps of: receiving a jamming command to simulate a jamming effect on a particular sensor onboard the vehicle; and generating a jamming effect in a model of the particular sensor in response to the jamming command. The jamming effect in the model of the particular sensor simulates the jamming effect on the particular sensor being generated by an entity other than the vehicle.

Abstract: A computing device, method and computer program product track the movement of objects and identify potential collisions between object influence models of two or more objects. In a method, an object influence model is defined for a respective object with the object influence model having a shape and volume that encompasses the respective object. The object influence model extends beyond the respective object and varies in response to changes in one or more properties of the object. The method also includes receiving information from one or more sensors indicative of movement of the respective object and predicting its anticipated path of travel. The method further includes identifying a potential collision between the respective object and another object in an instance in which the object influence models of the respective object and another object intersect as the respective object is advanced along the anticipated path of travel.

Abstract: The present application relates to systems, methods, and apparatus for facilitating the testing of a payload. An exemplary apparatus may include a fluid inlet port configured to receive fluid from a thermal subsystem of the payload. The apparatus may also include an actuating device configure to supply the fluid to a heat exchanger. A valve may be configured to receive the fluid from the heat exchanger and separate the fluid into a first fluid line and a second fluid line. A first fluid outlet port may be configured to supply the fluid to the thermal subsystem of the payload and a second fluid outlet port may be configured to supply the fluid to the thermal subsystem of payload.