Abstract: A system for defeating a threat unmanned aerial vehicle including a friendly unmanned aerial vehicle and a containment system. The containment system is deployable from the friendly unmanned aerial vehicle and includes a signal blocking enclosure and a capturing device. The signal blocking enclosure is formed of a conductive material for shielding radio frequency signals from propagating in or out of the signal blocking enclosure. The capturing device is configured for arresting the threat unmanned aerial vehicle and positioning an arrested threat unmanned aerial vehicle within the signal blocking enclosure.

Abstract: An aircraft empennage includes a lower vertical member attached to a rear portion of a fuselage, and an upper stabilizer assembly connected to the lower vertical member by an articulating mount configured to allow movement of the upper stabilizer assembly relative to the lower vertical member to adjust pitch trim of the fuselage. The upper stabilizer assembly includes a V-shaped tail member having a pair of angled stabilizer portions, and each angled stabilizer portion has a trailing-edge ruddervator control surface. A rudder may be attached to a trailing edge of the lower vertical member.

Abstract: An aircraft including a nacelle disposed at a fixed location relative a wing member; a proprotor housing coupled to the nacelle, the proprotor housing configured to selectively rotate between a horizontal orientation and a non-horizontal orientation; a door pivotably coupled to the proprotor housing; and a linkage to connect the door and the nacelle, the linkage configured to move with the door from a closed position when the proprotor housing is in a horizontal orientation to an open position when the proprotor housing is in a non-horizontal orientation. In some embodiments, there can be a hinge member for hingedly coupling the door to the proprotor and/or nacelle. In other embodiments, the door includes a flexure portion. In some embodiments, the nacelle includes a plurality of doors. In other embodiments, proprotor includes a forward portion and a stationary aft portion; wherein the forward portion is configured to selectively pivot.

Abstract: A keep-out assembly for a stowage bin assembly positioned above at least a portion of one or more seats within a vehicle includes a keep-out lens and a keep-out bracket. The keep-out lens is pellucid and extends between an inner edge and an outer edge. The keep-out lens has a top surface and a bottom surface. The keep-out mounting bracket has a base configured to be mounted to the stowage bin assembly at a top of the stowage bin assembly. The keep-out mounting bracket has a support arm extending from the base. The support arm engages the keep-out lens and supports the bottom surface of the keep-out lens at an elevated position above the stowage bin assembly.

Abstract: An inflatable head restraint system for a parachute assembly may comprise an inflatable volume configured to inflate in response to a deployment of the parachute assembly. The inflatable volume may be located between a left shoulder riser and a right shoulder riser of the parachute assembly. A conduit may be fluidly coupled to the inflatable volume.

Abstract: A fail-safe aerostat system is discussed, for structural support and network interconnection, applicable to many systems based on lighter-than-air lift. The invention describes a system with reinforced structure and optimized connection and an integration structure (reinforcement and integration structure), reinforcing a hydrogen cell or cells with a fail-safe design. The theorized structure is strong enough to withstand explosive forces, avoiding propagation of shock wave damage and fire, and a hydrogen cell or cells automatically self-controlled, operating independently to obtain lift strength and multi-parameter control.

Abstract: An aircraft fuselage including a fuselage skin, cross-members supporting a floor of the aircraft, wherein the fuselage includes a multifunctional substructure fixed to at least one of the cross-members in a lowered part of the cross-member. The multifunctional substructure comprises: at least one duct of an air distribution system having a substantially rectangular section at the location of the at least one cross-member and having lateral walls of the duct that are substantially vertical; a seat fixing track or a stiffener fixed on a first lateral wall of the duct of the multifunctional substructure, and; a seat fixing track or a stiffener fixed on a second lateral wall, opposite the first lateral wall, of the duct of the multifunctional substructure.

Abstract: Embodiments are directed to releasing smaller unmanned aerial vehicles from larger unmanned aerial vehicles. Apparatus and system embodiments are disclosed for physically retaining and ejecting the smaller unmanned aerial vehicles, including the communication networks associated with the command and control of both the smaller unmanned aerial vehicles and the larger unmanned aerial vehicles.

Abstract: A payload retrieval system including a UAV having a payload receptacle positioned within the UAV, a payload coupling apparatus positioned within the payload receptacle, a tether having a first end secured within the UAV and a second end attached to the payload coupling apparatus, and a payload guiding member positioned on an underside of the UAV for guiding at least part of a payload into the payload receptacle during retrieval of a payload.

Abstract: A vortex generator control system for a controlling an aircraft vortex generator arrangement comprising a controller configured to receive one or more deploy or retract command signals from a flight control unit and further configured to send one or more command signals to a fluid control valve, a fluid pressure sensor configured to sense one or more pressure values from an actuator of the vortex generator arrangement and to signal the pressure value(s) to the controller, wherein the fluid control valve is configured to control fluid transfer between the actuator and a reservoir in response to a command signal from the controller.

Abstract: A gas turbine includes a mounting structure for mounting the engine to a pylon. A propulsor section includes a fan having a fan diameter. A geared architecture drives the fan. A generator section includes a fan drive turbine that drives the geared architecture. A turbine to fan diameter ratio is substantially less than 45%.

Abstract: A parachute assembly for an ejection seat may comprise a canopy and a first suspension line coupled to the canopy. A first riser may be coupled to the first suspension line. A seat cushion may be coupled to the first riser. The seat cushion may be configured detach from the ejection seat and restrict rearward translation of a head of an occupant of the ejection seat upon deployment of the parachute assembly.

Abstract: Enhanced high-speed aircraft performance, including increased lift/drag ratio, from localized high-temperature speed of sound increases, and associated systems and methods are disclosed. A representative method for operating a vehicle includes, while a lifting body of the vehicle is immersed in a gas, heating the gas in a target volume sufficiently to increase the speed of sound in the gas relative to the speed of sound in the gas outside the target volume. The target volume can be positioned adjacent to, forward of, and/or along a pressure surface of the lifting body.

Abstract: A method of selectively preventing flapping of a rotor hub includes providing a flapping lock proximate to a rotor hub and shaft assembly and moving the flapping lock from an unlocked position to a locked position, the flapping lock operable in the locked position to prevent at least some flapping movement of the rotor hub relative to the shaft, the flapping lock operable in the unlocked position to allow the at least some flapping movement of the rotor hub relative to the shaft.

Abstract: A sill height morphing feature may comprise an upper chamber comprising an orthogonal foot section and a first foot tube, a lower chamber, relatively below the upper chamber, coupled to the upper chamber and comprising a second foot tube, a sliding surface between the upper chamber and the lower chamber, wherein the first foot tube lies relatively beneath the sliding surface, wherein the second foot tube lies relatively beneath the sliding surface and relatively behind and proximate to the first foot tube, wherein the sliding surface is coupled to the first foot tube at a top surface of the first foot tube.

Abstract: Described are mounting assemblies for securing aircraft passenger seats, including a beam, an adaptor, and fasteners. The beam can include holes spaced along a flat upper surface. The adaptor can be supported by the beam and include a channel, a bottom thickness, and apertures extending through the bottom thickness. The fasteners can extend through the adaptor's apertures and the beam's holes to secure the adaptor to the beam. The adaptor can receive a fitting of a passenger seat in the channel to secure the passenger seat relative to the beam.

Abstract: A helicopter may include a hybrid engine system including an internal combustion engine (e.g., a turbine engine) and an electric engine. The internal combustion engine and the electric engine being coupled to the rotor system and configured to separately or collectively operate the rotor system in response to a triggering event. In one aspect, a method for operating a rotor system of a helicopter may include receiving an indicator of a triggering event and actuating a non-active engine, one of the internal combustion engine or the electric engine, in response to receiving the triggering event.

Abstract: An unmanned aerial vehicle such as drone integrated with solar power unit, is disclosed. The solar power unit of the drone comprises a solar panel assembly positioned at a hull of the drone. The solar panel assembly is composed of a curtain-type shutter embedded with a plurality of photovoltaic cells. The shutter is formed of a plurality of slats having space between each of the slats, wherein the space facilitates for an effective dislocation of wind diffusion to maintain the stability of the hovering drone. The shutter further comprises a means for twisting and turning the shutter to provide balance for the hovering drone Further, the solar power unit comprises an energy storage unit operably coupled to the solar panel assembly for storage of the electrical energy from the solar panel. Further, the shutter is configured to spin cyclically diffusing the gust of wind harmlessly for stabilizing the hovering drone.

Abstract: A flap actuating system for use in an aircraft comprises a carriage for supporting and guiding a flap which is engageable with and translationally movable along at least one linear bearing rail. A linear actuator of the flap actuating system has a linearly actuatable coupling element coupled to the carriage and a drive element configured to linearly actuate the coupling element in a direction substantially parallel to a movement direction of the carriage along the linear bearing rail. The drive element is arranged substantially parallel to the movement direction of the carriage along the linear bearing rail.

Abstract: An ice protection system for controlling icing on an aircraft surface includes an OAT sensor configured to provide a signal indicative of an OAT, a LWC detector configured to provide a signal indicative of a LWC, an electrothermal device located on the aircraft surface, and an electronic control system configured to determine a critical temperature (TC) at or below which an anti-icing system will be used to preheat the aircraft surface, supply an electrical power having a calculated power level to the electrothermal device, and calculate the power level as being: zero if OAT>TC and LWC=0, controlled based on OAT and LWC if OAT>TC and LWC>0, controlled based on OAT and LWC if OAT<TC and LWC>0, and controlled based on OAT if OAT<TC and LWC=0.