Abstract: A method for facilitating the design and manufacturing of a tiltrotor aircraft, including the steps of: determining a compatible mission data set; identifying lift propulsion module components for the compatible mission data set; determining compatible specifications; and generating a design for a lift propulsion module; wherein the lift propulsion module is configured to be connected to at least two different fuselages. There is also a method of designing a tiltrotor aircraft, comprising the step of modularizing a lift propulsion system, wherein the lift propulsion system is configured to be connected to at least two different fuselages. In another aspect, there is a tiltrotor aircraft including a fuselage; and a lift propulsion module, the lift propulsion module including a mounting surface; wherein the lift propulsion module is coupled to the fuselage on the mounting surface. Also included are methods of assembling and systems including a lift propulsion module.

Abstract: An embodiment of the present invention provides a blocking door that is pivotally disposed on a fixed nacelle of a tiltrotor aircraft for pivoting between a stowed position when a proprotor pylon is in the substantially horizontal position and a protective blocking position in front of the proprotor pylon when the proprotor pylon is positioned in the non-horizontal position. In other aspects, there is provided a blocking door and a method of reducing infrared and/or radar signatures of rotorcraft with a rotatable proprotor.

Abstract: An aircraft is described and includes a fuselage, a wing coupled to the fuselage, and a rotor system including a proprotor system and an engine. An interconnect driveshaft gear is configured to communicate mechanical energy between a gearbox and an interconnect driveshaft. An accessory gear is coplanar with and in mechanical communication with the driveshaft gear. A proprotor gear is coplanar with and in mechanical communication with the interconnect driveshaft gear and the accessory gear and communicates mechanical energy to the proprotor system. An engine gear coplanar and in mechanical communication with the interconnect driveshaft ear, the accessory gear, and the proprotor gear transmits mechanical energy to the proprotor system via the proprotor gear.

Abstract: A method for facilitating the design and manufacturing of a tiltrotor aircraft, including the steps of: determining a compatible mission data set; identifying lift propulsion module components for the compatible mission data set; determining compatible specifications; and generating a design for a lift propulsion module; wherein the lift propulsion module is configured to be connected to at least two different fuselages. There is also a method of designing a tiltrotor aircraft, comprising the step of modularizing a lift propulsion system, wherein the lift propulsion system is configured to be connected to at least two different fuselages. In another aspect, there is a tiltrotor aircraft including a fuselage; and a lift propulsion module, the lift propulsion module including a mounting surface; wherein the lift propulsion module is coupled to the fuselage on the mounting surface. Also included are methods of assembling and systems including a lift propulsion module.

Abstract: An aircraft is described and includes a fuselage, a wing coupled to the fuselage, and a rotor system including a proprotor system and an engine. An interconnect driveshaft gear is configured to communicate mechanical energy between a gearbox and an interconnect driveshaft. An accessory gear is coplanar with and in mechanical communication with the driveshaft gear. A proprotor gear is coplanar with and in mechanical communication with the interconnect driveshaft gear and the accessory gear and communicates mechanical energy to the proprotor system. An engine gear coplanar and in mechanical communication with the interconnect driveshaft ear, the accessory gear, and the proprotor gear transmits mechanical energy to the proprotor system via the proprotor gear.

Abstract: An aircraft including a fuselage having a longitudinal axis extending through the fuselage front end and the fuselage rear end; a foldable wing located on the fuselage and being movable between a flight position wherein the wing is generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, and a stowed position wherein the wing is generally parallel to the longitudinal axis; and a pair of stabilizing wings having an anhedral orientation disposed on the fuselage.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, an aircraft features a fuselage, a wing coupled to the fuselage, and a first rotor system. The first rotor system includes a first proprotor system and a first engine. The first proprotor system is coupled proximate to a first wing tip of the wing and is tiltable between a helicopter mode position and an airplane mode position. The first engine is in mechanical communication with the first proprotor system and coupled above the wing, outboard of the fuselage and inboard of the first pylon.