Abstract: A vehicle architecture and the associated method of operation for fixed wing aircraft transition from operation underwater to flight in air. More particularly, the vehicle architecture and method allow transition and long-range operation in both water and in air. The method starts with the vehicle oriented for long range flight in water. The method is composed of a flight orientation change for high speed ascent by rolling over, then water ascent, tractor propeller transition, wing transition, pusher propeller transition, boundary layer flight, and air ascent. The vehicle will ascend in its highspeed water configuration. As the tractor propeller breaches the surface of the water it will change its pitch collectively to optimize for low speed operation in air. As the wings breach the surface of the water, they will increase in camber to optimize for low speed operation in air. The vehicle will change angle of attack to stay within the ground effect regime in air using firstly the submerged control surfaces.

Abstract: Methods of use of flow sensors on aerial vehicles and devices thereof are disclosed. The methods include a method for flow correction for a flow induced lifting device, a method for a first flight vehicle to autonomously follow a second flight vehicle, a method for providing an informed launch for a flight vehicle, and a method for thermal soaring. Flight vehicles configured to perform the method are also disclosed.

Abstract: A wing-twist aircraft having a wing, an actuation system, a sensor, and/or a controller. The wing may have a wingspan that extends to a wing tip. The wing may further include a spar aligned in a span-wise direction, wherein at least one rib is operatively coupled to the spar. The actuation system may be configured to torsionally rotate the spar, which, in turn, torsionally rotates (pivots) the at least one rib coupled to the spar, thereby twisting the wing. The sensor may be configured to measure a characteristic of the wing, while the controller may be configured to command the actuation system to torsionally rotate the spar based at least in part on input from the sensor.

Abstract: A hybrid-electric aerial vehicle is disclosed comprising: an airframe; a plurality of longitudinal booms extending radially from the airframe; a passively charged internal combustion engine operatively coupled with a fuel tank, a generator operatively coupled with the passively charged internal combustion engine; a battery bank operatively coupled with the generator; and a plurality of motors. The passively charged internal combustion engine has an intake engine valve, an exhaust engine valve, and a combustion chamber, wherein the intake engine valve is delayed to provide an expansion ratio in the combustion chamber that is greater than a compression ratio in the combustion chamber. Each of said plurality of motors may be positioned at a distal end of one of said plurality of longitudinal booms and be operatively coupled with a propeller, wherein the plurality of motors is electrically coupled with the battery bank and the generator.

Abstract: A vehicle architecture and the associated method of operation for fixed wing aircraft transition from operation underwater to flight in air. More particularly, the vehicle architecture and method allows transition and long-range operation in both water and in air. The method starts with the vehicle oriented for long range flight in water. The method is composed of a flight orientation change for high speed ascent by rolling over, then water ascent, tractor propeller transition, wing transition, pusher propeller transition, boundary layer flight, and air ascent. The vehicle will ascend in its highspeed water configuration. As the tractor propeller breaches the surface of the water it will change its pitch collectively to optimize for low speed operation in air. As the wings breach the surface of the water, they will increase in camber to optimize for low speed operation in air. The vehicle will change angle of attack to stay within the ground effect regime in air using firstly the submerged control surfaces.

Abstract: A wing-twist aircraft having a wing, an actuation system, a sensor, and/or a controller. The wing may have a wingspan that extends to a wing tip. The wing may further include a spar aligned in a span-wise direction, wherein at least one rib is operatively coupled to the spar. The actuation system may be configured to torsionally rotate the spar, which, in turn, torsionally rotates (pivots) the at least one rib coupled to the spar, thereby twisting the wing. The sensor may be configured to measure a characteristic of the wing, while the controller may be configured to command the actuation system to torsionally rotate the spar based at least in part on input from the sensor.

Abstract: A hybrid-electric aerial vehicle is disclosed comprising: an airframe; a plurality of longitudinal booms extending radially from the airframe; a passively charged internal combustion engine operatively coupled with a fuel tank, a generator operatively coupled with the passively charged internal combustion engine; a battery bank operatively coupled with the generator; and a plurality of motors. The passively charged internal combustion engine has an intake engine valve, an exhaust engine valve, and a combustion chamber, wherein the intake engine valve is delayed to provide an expansion ratio in the combustion chamber that is greater than a compression ratio in the combustion chamber. Each of said plurality of motors may be positioned at a distal end of one of said plurality of longitudinal booms and be operatively coupled with a propeller, wherein the plurality of motors is electrically coupled with the battery bank and the generator.