Abstract: A parasite aircraft for airborne deployment and retrieve includes a wing; a fuselage rotatably mounted to the wing; a dock disposed on top of the fuselage and configured to receive a maneuverable capture device of a carrier aircraft; a pair of tail members extending from the fuselage; and a plurality of landing gear mounted to the wing. A method of preparing a parasite aircraft for flight includes unfolding an end portion of a wing; unfolding an end portion of a tail member of the parasite aircraft; and rotating a fuselage of the parasite aircraft so that the fuselage is perpendicular to the wing. A method of preparing a parasite aircraft for storage includes rotating a fuselage of the parasite aircraft to be parallel with a wing of the parasite aircraft; folding an end portion of the wing; and folding an end portion of a tail member of the parasite aircraft.

Abstract: A control system for mixing materials for livestock feed including a container that receives the materials, agitators that mix the materials in the container, a driveline that drives the agitators at an output speed with an output torque, a power source that provides an input speed at an input torque, a continuously variable transmission that connects the driveline and the power source and having a hydrostatic loop to provide a speed ratio between the input speed and the output speed, a plurality of sensors positioned between the power source and the agitators that provides mixing signals commensurate to mixing parameters, and an electronic control unit configured to receive the mixing signals, extract mixing parameter values from the mixing signals, and actuate the continuously variable transmission and adjust the speed ratio based on the mixing parameter values to enhance efficiency of the mixing of the materials.

Abstract: A control system for mixing materials for livestock feed including a container that receives the materials, agitators that mix the materials in the container, a driveline that drives the agitators at an output speed with an output torque, a power source that provides an input speed at an input torque, a continuously variable transmission that connects the driveline and the power source and having a hydrostatic loop to provide a speed ratio between the input speed and the output speed, a plurality of sensors positioned between the power source and the agitators that provides mixing signals commensurate to mixing parameters, and an electronic control unit configured to receive the mixing signals, extract mixing parameter values from the mixing signals, and actuate the continuously variable transmission and adjust the speed ratio based on the mixing parameter values to enhance efficiency of the mixing of the materials.

Abstract: A transmission system for a feed mixer including a continuously variable transmission (CVT) is provided. The CVT includes a mechanical loop and a hydrostatic loop. The CVT is operated so that the mechanical portion of the CVT is prevented from overtaking the hydrostatic portion of the CVT at start up of the CVT.

Abstract: A system for deploying and retrieving a parasite aircraft includes a parasite aircraft with a dock and a carrier aircraft that includes a maneuverable capture device tethered to the carrier aircraft via a cable. The maneuverable capture device includes a plurality of rotors and is configured to dock in the dock of the parasite aircraft. A method of deploying a parasite aircraft includes positioning a parasite aircraft on a loading surface; positioning a carrier aircraft above the parasite aircraft; releasing, from the carrier aircraft, a maneuverable capture device comprising a plurality of rotors; securing the maneuverable capture device to a dock positioned on the parasite aircraft; lifting, via a cable secured at a first end to the carrier aircraft and at a second end to the maneuverable capture device, the parasite aircraft with the carrier aircraft; and releasing the parasite aircraft from the maneuverable capture device.

Abstract: A parasite aircraft for airborne deployment and retrieve includes a wing; a fuselage rotatably mounted to the wing; a dock disposed on top of the fuselage and configured to receive a maneuverable capture device of a carrier aircraft; a pair of tail members extending from the fuselage; and a plurality of landing gear mounted to the wing. A method of preparing a parasite aircraft for flight includes unfolding an end portion of a wing; unfolding an end portion of a tail member of the parasite aircraft; and rotating a fuselage of the parasite aircraft so that the fuselage is perpendicular to the wing. A method of preparing a parasite aircraft for storage includes rotating a fuselage of the parasite aircraft to be parallel with a wing of the parasite aircraft; folding an end portion of the wing; and folding an end portion of a tail member of the parasite aircraft.

Abstract: A parasite aircraft for airborne deployment and retrieve includes a wing; a fuselage rotatably mounted to the wing; a dock disposed on top of the fuselage and configured to receive a maneuverable capture device of a carrier aircraft; a pair of tail members extending from the fuselage; and a plurality of landing gear mounted to the wing. A method of preparing a parasite aircraft for flight includes unfolding an end portion of a wing; unfolding an end portion of a tail member of the parasite aircraft; and rotating a fuselage of the parasite aircraft so that the fuselage is perpendicular to the wing. A method of preparing a parasite aircraft for storage includes rotating a fuselage of the parasite aircraft to be parallel with a wing of the parasite aircraft; folding an end portion of the wing; and folding an end portion of a tail member of the parasite aircraft.

Abstract: In an embodiment, a maneuverable capture device includes a frame, a plurality of rotors secured to the frame, an attachment point disposed on the frame for securing a cable of a carrier aircraft to the frame, and an attachment feature configured to secure maneuverable capture device to a dock of a parasite aircraft. In an embodiment, a method of docking a maneuverable capture device with a parasite aircraft includes positioning a carrier aircraft above a parasite aircraft, releasing the maneuverable capture device attached to the carrier aircraft by a cable from the carrier aircraft, flying the maneuverable capture device to a dock of the parasite aircraft, and securing the maneuverable capture device to the dock of the parasite aircraft.

Abstract: An inertia weight assembly positionable within a receiving portion of a rotor blade for use on a rotorcraft. The inertia weight assembly includes a weighted core and a casing having a closed outboard end and forming a cavity. The weighted core is disposed in the cavity such that the casing at least partially encloses the weighted core. The weighted core is formed from a first material and the casing is formed from a second material that is dissimilar to the first material. The casing provides an interface between the weighted core and the receiving portion of the rotor blade. The second material is more bondable to the receiving portion of the rotor blade than the first material.

Abstract: A transmission system for a feed mixer including a continuously variable transmission (CVT) is provided. The CVT includes a mechanical loop and a hydrostatic loop. The CVT is operated so that the mechanical portion of the CVT is prevented from overtaking the hydrostatic portion of the CVT at start up of the CVT.

Abstract: A cargo transportation system includes a cargo platform having an upper surface and a perimeter. A propulsion system is disposed about the perimeter of the cargo platform. The propulsion system includes a plurality of propulsion assemblies, each including a propulsion unit disposed within a housing defining an airflow channel having an air inlet for incoming air and an air outlet for outgoing air such that the outgoing air is operable to generate at least vertical lift. A power system disposed within the cargo platform provides energy to drive the propulsion system. A flight control system operably associated with the propulsion system and the power system controls flight operations of the cargo transportation system.

Abstract: An airframe for a tiltrotor aircraft includes a wing airframe including a rib, a fuselage airframe including a fore-aft overhead beam and a cradle support assembly. The cradle support assembly includes a forward wing support coupled to the fore-aft overhead beam and the wing airframe and an aft wing support coupled to the fore-aft overhead beam and the wing airframe. The rib, the fore-aft overhead beam, the forward wing support and the aft wing support are substantially aligned to form a wing-fuselage integrated airframe beam assembly to support the wing airframe.

Abstract: A control system for mixing materials having a container to receive the materials, agitators, a driveline to drive the agitators at an output speed with an output torque, an power source to provide an input speed with an input torque, a continuously variable transmission that connects the driveline and the power source, and an electronic control unit configured to adjust a speed ratio of the continuously variable transmission to provide a linear relationship between the input torque and the output torque with a slope, when the input torque is below a control input threshold, and to follow a corrected linear relationship between the input torque and the output torque with a corrected slope smaller than the slope when the input torque is above the control input threshold.

Abstract: A parasite aircraft for airborne deployment and retrieve includes a wing; a fuselage rotatably mounted to the wing; a dock disposed on top of the fuselage and configured to receive a maneuverable capture device of a carrier aircraft; a pair of tail members extending from the fuselage; and a plurality of landing gear mounted to the wing. A method of preparing a parasite aircraft for flight includes unfolding an end portion of a wing; unfolding an end portion of a tail member of the parasite aircraft; and rotating a fuselage of the parasite aircraft so that the fuselage is perpendicular to the wing. A method of preparing a parasite aircraft for storage includes rotating a fuselage of the parasite aircraft to be parallel with a wing of the parasite aircraft; folding an end portion of the wing; and folding an end portion of a tail member of the parasite aircraft.

Abstract: An example of a maneuverable capture device includes a frame, a plurality of rotors secured to the frame, an attachment point disposed on the frame for securing a cable of a carrier aircraft to the frame, and an attachment feature configured to secure maneuverable capture device to a dock of a parasite aircraft. An example of a method of docking a maneuverable capture device with a parasite aircraft includes positioning a carrier aircraft above a parasite aircraft, releasing the maneuverable capture device attached to the carrier aircraft by a cable from the carrier aircraft, flying the maneuverable capture device to a dock of the parasite aircraft, and securing the maneuverable capture device to the dock of the parasite aircraft.

Abstract: A system for deploying and retrieving a parasite aircraft includes a parasite aircraft with a dock and a carrier aircraft that includes a maneuverable capture device tethered to the carrier aircraft via a cable. The maneuverable capture device includes a plurality of rotors and is configured to dock in the dock of the parasite aircraft. A method of deploying a parasite aircraft includes positioning a parasite aircraft on a loading surface; positioning a carrier aircraft above the parasite aircraft; releasing, from the carrier aircraft, a maneuverable capture device comprising a plurality of rotors; securing the maneuverable capture device to a dock positioned on the parasite aircraft; lifting, via a cable secured at a first end to the carrier aircraft and at a second end to the maneuverable capture device, the parasite aircraft with the carrier aircraft; and releasing the parasite aircraft from the maneuverable capture device.

Abstract: A control system for mixing materials having a container to receive the materials, agitators, a driveline to drive the agitators at an output speed with an output torque, an power source to provide an input speed with an input torque, a continuously variable transmission that connects the driveline and the power source, and an electronic control unit configured to adjust a speed ratio of the continuously variable transmission to provide a linear relationship between the input torque and the output torque with a slope, when the input torque is below a control input threshold, and to follow a corrected linear relationship between the input torque and the output torque with a corrected slope smaller than the slope when the input torque is above the control input threshold.

Abstract: A control system for mixing materials having a container to receive the materials, agitators, a driveline to drive the agitators at an output speed with an output torque, an power source to provide an input speed with an input torque, a continuously variable transmission that connects the driveline and the power source, and an electronic control unit configured to adjust a speed ratio of the continuously variable transmission to provide a linear relationship between the input torque and the output torque with a slope, when the input torque is below a control input threshold, and to follow a corrected linear relationship between the input torque and the output torque with a corrected slope smaller than the slope when the input torque is above the control input threshold.

Abstract: A control system for mixing materials for livestock feed including a container that receives the materials, agitators that mix the materials in the container, a driveline that drives the agitators at an output speed with an output torque, a power source that provides an input speed at an input torque, a continuously variable transmission that connects the driveline and the power source and having a hydrostatic loop to provide a speed ratio between the input speed and the output speed, a plurality of sensors positioned between the power source and the agitators that provides mixing signals commensurate to mixing parameters, and an electronic control unit configured to receive the mixing signals, extract mixing parameter values from the mixing signals, and actuate the continuously variable transmission and adjust the speed ratio based on the mixing parameter values to enhance efficiency of the mixing of the materials.

Abstract: An aircraft system includes a wing member and a plurality of unmanned aircraft systems selectively connectable to the wing member. The wing member has a generally airfoil cross-section, a leading edge and a trailing edge. The unmanned aircraft systems have a connected flight mode while coupled to the wing member and an independent flight mode when detached from the wing member. In the connected flight mode, the unmanned aircraft systems are operable to provide propulsion to the wing member to enable flight. The unmanned aircraft systems are operable to be launched from the wing member to perform aerial missions in the independent flight mode and are operable to be recovered by the wing member and returned to the connected flight mode. Thereafter, in the connected flight mode, the unmanned aircraft systems are operable to be resupplied by the wing member.