Abstract: An aircraft external fuel tank is disclosed which is comprised of nestable sections held together by a hinge joint comprised of a plurality of knuckles coupled by a pin inserted through the knuckles. The fuel tank may be rapidly assembled and disassembled, thereby minimizing storage space requirements while maximizing the ability to deploy the tanks to the aircraft.

Abstract: The present invention provides a pressure vessel having a non-circular axial cross-section, and a method for its construction, which achieves improved reliability, minimum weight, minimum cost, and maximum aerodynamic smoothness. The above characteristics are achieved through the use of honeycomb cores whose thickness varies in accordance with the distribution of bending moments created by the non-circular axial cross-sectional configuration under internal pressure. The present invention also provides a pressure vessel having a non-circular axial cross-section which may be especially designed to meet preestablished design criteria for optimal weight, volume, and strength.