Abstract: A control system of a flight vehicle automatically varies the relationship between the center of gravity and the center of pressure of the flight vehicle. The control system automatically adjusts a center of pressure of the flight vehicle depending on a varying payload or payload type that is removably couplable to the flight vehicle. The control system automatically limits translational movement of the one or more wings of the flight vehicle in response to coupling of a payload to a fuselage of the flight vehicle.

Abstract: A control system of a flight vehicle automatically varies the relationship between the center of gravity and the center of pressure of the flight vehicle. The control system automatically adjusts a center of pressure of the flight vehicle depending on a varying payload or payload type that is removably couplable to the flight vehicle. The control system automatically limits translational movement of the one or more wings of the flight vehicle in response to coupling of a payload to a fuselage of the flight vehicle.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for fabricating composite parts including at least one structural material and at least one protective material that are integrally bonded without the use of secondary bonding operations. One or more of the materials forming the layers of the composite parts may be a ceramic composition with or without porosity and one or more of the materials may be a polymer composition. Methods including co-injection processes also are provided for fabricating multi-layered structures in which each layer serves a desired function while still being integrated into the overall structure.

Abstract: Processes for mechanically fabricating two and three-dimensional fibrous monolith composites include preparing a fibrous monolith filament from a core composition of a first powder material and a boundary material of a second powder material. The filament includes a first portion of the core composition surrounded by a second portion of the boundary composition. One or more filaments are extruded through a mechanically-controlled deposition nozzle onto a working surface to create a fibrous monolith composite object. The objects may be formed directly from computer models and have complex geometries.

Abstract: Methods for consolidation and densification of fibrous monolith composite structures are provided. Consolidation and densification of two- and three-dimensional fibrous monolith components having complex geometries can be achieved by pressureless sintering. The fibrous monolith composites are formed from filaments having at least a first material composition generally surrounded by a second material composition. The composites are sintered at a pressure of no more than about 30 psi to provide consolidated and densified fibrous monolith composites.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for fabricating composite parts including at least one structural material and at least one protective material that are integrally bonded without the use of secondary bonding operations. One or more of the materials forming the layers of the composite parts may be a ceramic composition with or without porosity and one or more of the materials may be a polymer composition. Methods including co-injection processes also are provided for fabricating multi-layered structures in which each layer serves a desired function while still being integrated into the overall structure.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a low density, water-soluble coring and tooling material used for the fabrication of composite parts. One aspect of the present invention relates to a lightweight, strong composite coring material that can be easily shaped and removed from cured composite parts. Another aspect of the present invention relates to a lightweight, strong composite tooling material that is easily tailored to provide a specific coefficient of thermal expansion and thermal conductivity, thus providing a tooling material that can be matched to the composite structure and material being fabricated.

Abstract: Processes for mechanically fabricating two and three-dimensional fibrous monolith composites include preparing a fibrous monolith filament from a core composition of a first powder material and a boundary material of a second powder material. The filament includes a first portion of the core composition surrounded by a second portion of the boundary composition. One or more filaments are extruded through a mechanically-controlled deposition nozzle onto a working surface to create a fibrous monolith composite object. The objects may be formed directly from computer models and have complex geometries.

Abstract: Processes for mechanically fabricating two and three-dimensional fibrous monolith composites include preparing a fibrous monolith filament from a core composition of a first powder material and a boundary material of a second powder material. The filament includes a first portion of the core composition surrounded by a second portion of the boundary composition. One or more filaments are extruded through a mechanically-controlled deposition nozzle onto a working surface to create a fibrous monolith composite object. The objects may be formed directly from computer models and have complex geometries.

Abstract: Methods for consolidation and densification of fibrous monolith composite structures are provided. Consolidation and densification of two- and three-dimensional fibrous monolith components having complex geometries can be achieved by pressureless sintering. The fibrous monolith composites are formed from filaments having at least a first material composition generally surrounded by a second material composition. The composites are sintered in an inert gas or nitrogen gas at a pressure of no more than about 30 psi to provide consolidated and densified fibrous monolith composites.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a low density, water-soluble coring and tooling material used for the fabrication of composite parts. One aspect of the present invention relates to a lightweight, strong composite coring material that can be easily shaped and removed from cured composite parts. Another aspect of the present invention relates to a lightweight, strong composite tooling material that is easily tailored to provide a specific coefficient of thermal expansion and thermal conductivity, thus providing a tooling material that can be matched to the composite structure and material being fabricated.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for producing objects from fibrous monolith composites are provided. Two- and three-dimensional objects can be prepared from a continuous fibrous monolith filament. The objects can have complex geometries.

Abstract: Methods for consolidation and densification of multi-phase composite structures are provided. These methods allow for more efficient and less expensive consolidation and densification of two- and three-dimensional multi-phase components having more complex geometries.