Abstract: A strut assembly for coupling an engine to a wing of an aircraft, the strut assembly comprising a mid truss assembly comprising a fore portion and an aft portion; an engine mount member connected to the fore portion of the mid truss assembly; an aft truss assembly comprising a fore portion and an aft portion, the fore portion of the aft truss assembly being connected to the aft portion of the mid truss assembly; an aft strut bulkhead connected to the aft portion of the aft truss assembly; and a wing mounting feature operatively connected to, and located aft of, the aft strut bulkhead.

Abstract: An aircraft includes a wing having a longitudinal centerline axis, a leading edge, a trailing edge aft of the leading edge, a wing thickness, and a wing chord, an engine having a longitudinal axis vertically aligned with the wing chord and parallel to the longitudinal centerline axis, a pylon connecting the wing to the engine, and a fairing received over the pylon. The fairing defines a horizontal plane, a first plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, and a second plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, the second plane being aft of the first plane, the longitudinal axis defining a reference line when projected onto the horizontal plane. The fairing includes a fairing body defining an aerodynamic surface having an outboard portion and an inboard portion configured such that the first plane intersects the horizontal plane and the aerodynamic surface of the inboard portion at a first intersection point. The first intersection point is laterally displaced from the reference line by a first distance.

Abstract: A flow control system on an aircraft engine nacelle incorporates a plurality of translating turning vanes each having a body. An equal plurality of actuators is coupled to a trailing edge of the body of an associated one of the translating turning vanes. The actuator translates the body from a retracted position to an extended position.

Abstract: A flow control system on an aircraft engine nacelle incorporates a plurality of translating turning vanes each having a body. An equal plurality of actuators is coupled to a trailing edge of the body of an associated one of the translating turning vanes. The actuator translates the body from a retracted position to an extended position.

Abstract: A flow control system on an aircraft engine nacelle incorporates a plurality of flow control devices each having a body. A second plurality of actuators is coupled to the body of an associated one of the flow control devices. The actuator rotates the body about a leading edge of an inlet of a nacelle from a retracted position to an extended position.

Abstract: A system and methods for reducing flow field velocity into a propeller is disclosed. An aerodynamic structure is enhanced to provide a reduced velocity flow field region, and a propeller is positioned in the reduced velocity flow field region.

Abstract: A system and methods for deployment operations from an airborne vehicle are presented. A designated location of a target is received at a flight control system coupled to a location tracking guided container comprising an agent. The location tracking guided container is ejected at an ejection point from the airborne vehicle approximately above the designated location of the target to descend at a descent rate and a descent angle. A calculated path to the designated location is calculated based on the designated location and a current location of the location tracking guided container. The location tracking guided container is aerodynamically guided by a glide control structure to fly along the calculated path from the ejection point to a load release altitude near the designated location of the target. The agent is delivered to the designated location of the target by releasing the agent at the load release altitude near the designated location.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for improved aircraft control through the use of adjustable winglets. The adjustable winglets are located at the terminal ends of an aircraft's wings and may pivot about an axis parallel to the yaw axis of the aircraft. The adjustable winglets may also include outboard ailerons for improved control of the aircraft.

Abstract: A system and method for cargo handling is provided. The system includes a transport vehicle including a cargo bay capable of housing a plurality of cargo containers, and a loading dock for coupling to the cargo bay. The system also includes at least one railcar and pylons positioned along a floor of the cargo bay. A predetermined number of pylons are operable to elevate and lower a cargo container within the cargo bay. The present invention also provides a railcar for transporting cargo containers, as well as an apparatus for positioning at least one cargo container within a transport vehicle. The present invention also provides a system for aligning a loading dock and a transport vehicle that includes a mechanism for adjusting the height of the transport vehicle or loading dock, or a plurality of engagement members that are capable of aligning the loading dock and transport vehicle.

Abstract: A system and methods for reducing flow field velocity into a propeller is disclosed. An aerodynamic structure is enhanced to provide a reduced velocity flow field region, and a propeller is positioned in the reduced velocity flow field region.

Abstract: A system and methods for airborne launch and recovery of aircraft. In one embodiment the system comprises a flexible tether configured to be towed behind an airborne mother ship. A drag device is secured to a distal end of the flexible tether to generate drag and maintain tension in the flexible tether. A reel associated with the mother ship anchors a proximal portion of the flexible tether and selectively lets out and takes up the flexible tether to adjust a length of the flexible tether. A capture mechanism associated with the aircraft engages the flexible tether to secure the aircraft to the flexible tether. In certain embodiments of the present methods, a flexible tether is deployed from an airborne mother ship. An aircraft translates forward and rearward along the flexible tether. Alternatively, the aircraft translates forward and rearward as the flexible tether taken up and let out from the mother ship. Prior to launch, the weight of the aircraft is transferred from the flexible tether to the wings.

Abstract: A method to control a device may include forming an integrated simulation model of an actual environment in which the device is or will be operating. The integrated simulation model may be formed using pre-existing data and real-time data related to the actual environment. The method may also include presenting a simulation including a representation of the device operable in the integrated simulation model of the actual environment and allowing control of operation of the simulation of the device in the integrated simulation model of the actual environment. The method may further include controlling operation of the device in the actual environment using the simulation of the representation of the device in the integrated simulation model of the actual environment.

Abstract: A system and method for cargo handling is provided. The system includes a transport vehicle including a cargo bay capable of housing a plurality of cargo containers, and a loading dock for coupling to the cargo bay. The system also includes at least one railcar and pylons positioned along a floor of the cargo bay. A predetermined number of pylons are operable to elevate and lower a cargo container within the cargo bay. The present invention also provides a railcar for transporting cargo containers, as well as an apparatus for positioning at least one cargo container within a transport vehicle. The present invention also provides a system for aligning a loading dock and a transport vehicle that includes a mechanism for adjusting the height of the transport vehicle or loading dock, or a plurality of engagement members that are capable of aligning the loading dock and transport vehicle.

Abstract: A system and method for cargo handling is provided. The system includes a transport vehicle including a cargo bay capable of housing a plurality of cargo containers, and a loading dock for coupling to the cargo bay. The system also includes at least one railcar and pylons positioned along a floor of the cargo bay. A predetermined number of pylons are operable to elevate and lower a cargo container within the cargo bay. The present invention also provides a railcar for transporting cargo containers, as well as an apparatus for positioning at least one cargo container within a transport vehicle. The present invention also provides a system for aligning a loading dock and a transport vehicle that includes a mechanism for adjusting the height of the transport vehicle or loading dock, or a plurality of engagement members that are capable of aligning the loading dock and transport vehicle.

Abstract: A system and methods for airborne launch and recovery of aircraft. In one embodiment the system comprises a flexible tether configured to be towed behind an airborne mother ship. A drag device is secured to a distal end of the flexible tether to generate drag and maintain tension in the flexible tether. A reel associated with the mother ship anchors a proximal portion of the flexible tether and selectively lets out and takes up the flexible tether to adjust a length of the flexible tether. A capture mechanism associated with the aircraft engages the flexible tether to secure the aircraft to the flexible tether. In certain embodiments of the present methods, a flexible tether is deployed from an airborne mother ship. An aircraft translates forward and rearward along the flexible tether. Alternatively, the aircraft translates forward and rearward as the flexible tether taken up and let out from the mother ship. Prior to launch, the weight of the aircraft is transferred from the flexible tether to the wings.

Abstract: A system and method for cargo handling is provided. The system includes a transport vehicle including a cargo bay capable of housing a plurality of cargo containers, and a loading dock for coupling to the cargo bay. The system also includes at least one railcar and pylons positioned along a floor of the cargo bay. A predetermined number of pylons are operable to elevate and lower a cargo container within the cargo bay. The present invention also provides a railcar for transporting cargo containers, as well as an apparatus for positioning at least one cargo container within a transport vehicle. The present invention also provides a system for aligning a loading dock and a transport vehicle that includes a mechanism for adjusting the height of the transport vehicle or loading dock, or a plurality of engagement members that are capable of aligning the loading dock and transport vehicle.

Abstract: A system and method for cargo handling is provided. The system includes a transport vehicle including a cargo bay capable of housing a plurality of cargo containers, and a loading dock for coupling to the cargo bay. The system also includes at least one railcar and pylons positioned along a floor of the cargo bay. A predetermined number of pylons are operable to elevate and lower a cargo container within the cargo bay. The present invention also provides a railcar for transporting cargo containers, as well as an apparatus for positioning at least one cargo container within a transport vehicle. The present invention also provides a system for aligning a loading dock and a transport vehicle that includes a mechanism for adjusting the height of the transport vehicle or loading dock, or a plurality of engagement members that are capable of aligning the loading dock and transport vehicle.

Abstract: A method to control a device may include forming an integrated simulation model of an actual environment in which the device is or will be operating. The integrated simulation model may be formed using pre-existing data and real-time data related to the actual environment. The method may also include presenting a simulation including a representation of the device operable in the integrated simulation model of the actual environment and allowing control of operation of the simulation of the device in the integrated simulation model of the actual environment. The method may further include controlling operation of the device in the actual environment using the simulation of the representation of the device in the integrated simulation model of the actual environment.

Abstract: An altitude measuring system and method for aircraft is provided. The altitude measuring system includes altitude sensors for providing data to an altitude processing unit. The altitude processing unit spatially averages each output to determine a mean altitude. Pitch and roll are accounted for by correction. A method of determining aircraft altitude from a plurality of altitude sensors includes receiving altitude sensor data from each sensor and spatially averaging the altitude sensor outputs to determine aircraft altitude. A method of estimating the maximum height of an ocean surface includes receiving a plurality of altitude sensor data and determining a mathematical description of the ocean surface from the sensor data. The maximum probable wave height of the ocean surface is estimated from the mathematical description. From the maximum wave height, a cruise altitude may be determined.

Abstract: A method, system, and computer program product for controlling a plurality of maneuverable wheels on a vehicle is provided. The method, system, and computer program product control a plurality of maneuverable wheels by providing a steering radius selection and a crab angle selection, generally through a steering control interface and a crab control interface. Also, the method, system, and computer program product control a plurality of maneuverable wheels on an aircraft in order to compensate for crosswind when landing the aircraft. This is generally accomplished via input from wind sensors and a navigation system. Additionally, the method, system, and computer program product controls a plurality of maneuverable wheels on an aircraft for compensating for a crosswind during takeoff of an aircraft.