Abstract: A body lift airplane assembly including 1) a main air lift body assembly of substantial length and width; 2) a landing gear/wheel assembly retractably connected to the main air lift body assembly; 3) a fixed wing assembly secured to and extended above the main air lift body assembly and having a fixed wing member of a length equal to the width of the main air lift body assembly; 4) an engine propulsion power assembly having a pair of spaced jet engine pod assemblies mounted within engine cut-out portions in outer edges of the main air lift body assembly; and 5) a fin and rudder assembly of a V-shape connected to a central rear portion of the main air lift body assembly. The main air lift body assembly includes a main body assembly having outer peripheral side and rear edges formed with downwardly extended arcuate air lift portions to provide air lift characteristics to the overall main air lift body assembly.

Abstract: An aerodynamic control system for an aircraft comprises a pair of low-aspect-ratio strakes integral with the fuselage, each of the strakes being substantially co-planar with an associated one of the wings and extending between a leading region generally blended with the trailing edge of the wing, a trailing edge and an outer edge. An aft airfoil is pivotally mounted to the trailing edge of each of the strakes movable between an extreme positive angle of attack position and an extreme negative angle of attack position. The aft airfoil includes an inner airfoil member which is laterally coextensive with said trailing edge of said associated strake and an outer airfoil member integral with the inner airfoil member which extends laterally beyond the outer edge of the associated strake. In one embodiment, the outer and inner airfoil members are substantially co-planar. In other embodiments, the outer airfoil member may be canted either upwardly or downwardly with respect to the inner airfoil member.

Abstract: A blended wing-body aircraft includes a central body, a wing, and a transition section which interconnects the body and the wing on each side of the aircraft. The two transition sections are identical, and each has a variable chord length and thickness which varies in proportion to the chord length. This enables the transition section to connect the thin wing to the thicker body. Each transition section has a negative sweep angle.

Abstract: A supersonic flight aircraft having a longitudinally forwardly extending fuselage having an axis in the direction of flight, and a wing, and which comprises the wing extending generally laterally relative to the axis, and having a leading edge angled forward or rearwardly relative to a normal to the axis at an angle , and the wing having leading edge sharpness defined by upper and lower wing surfaces, which taper toward the leading edge to define an angle .delta., closely proximate the leading edge at all spanwise locations; the angle and sharpness .delta.

Abstract: Structural ribs for providing structural support for a structure, such as the pressure cabin of a blended-wing body aircraft. In a first embodiment, the ribs are generally "Y-shaped", being comprised of a vertical web and a pair of inclined webs attached to the vertical web to extend upwardly and outwardly from the vertical web in different directions, with only the upper edges of the inclined webs being attached to a structural element. In a second embodiment, the ribs are generally "trident-shaped", whereby the vertical web extends upwardly beyond the intersection of the inclined webs with the vertical web, with the upper edge of the vertical web as well as the upper edges of the inclined webs being attached to the same structural element.

Abstract: A ram wing vehicle comprises a main structure extending between a nose end and a tail end, including an aerodynamic lifting body having an aspect ratio less than approximately 1.0 and extending between a leading edge and a trailing edge. The ratio of the thickness of the lifting body intermediate the leading edge and the trailing edge to the length of the chord thereof is greater than approximately 1:8. A propulsion source is provided adjacent the nose end for generating an efflux and for directing the efflux beyond the tail end in a direction away from the nose end. A directional control mechanism is positioned adjacent the nose end for turning the vehicle about the yaw axis into a curve having a center and so vectoring the efflux from the propulsion source as to direct the efflux to the outside of the turn and the nose end toward the center of the curve.

Abstract: A lifting-fuselage/wing aircraft having low drag at a selected cruise condition. The aircraft includes (a) a lifting fuselage having a cross-section constituting an airfoil in a majority of vertical planes taken parallel to the flight direction and an aspect ratio (AR.sub.f) of 0.33 to 1.10; (b) wings fixed to the fuselage having an aspect ratio (AR.sub.w) of at least 5.0; (c) a mechanism controlling aircraft attitude; and (d) a mechanism propelling the aircraft; wherein the wings and fuselage produce lift in varying proportions depending upon flight conditions as follows: (i) the aircraft has a cruise design point in which the fuselage lift coefficient (C.sub.LF) is 0.08 or less, and (ii) the fuselage lift coefficient is at least 0.50 at an angle of attack (.alpha..sub.LZo) of 10.degree., in level flight at sea level (ISA) with all movable lift enhancing devices retracted.

Abstract: This disclosure provides a solar rechargeable aircraft that is inexpensive to produce, is steerable, and can remain airborne almost indefinitely. The preferred aircraft is a span-loaded flying wing, having no fuselage or rudder. Travelling at relatively slow speeds, and having a two-hundred foot wingspan that mounts photovoltaic cells on most all of the wing's top surface, the aircraft uses only differential thrust of its eight propellers to turn. Each of five sections of the wing has one or more engines and photovoltaic arrays, and produces its own lift independent of the other sections, to avoid loading them. Five two-sided photovoltaic arrays, in all, are mounted on the wing, and receive photovoltaic energy both incident on top of the wing, and which is incident also from below, through a bottom, transparent surface. The aircraft is capable of a top speed of about ninety miles per hour, which enables the aircraft to attain and can continuously maintain altitudes of up to sixty-five thousand feet.

Abstract: An aircraft having an elliptical fuselage and low skin friction drag. The aircraft includes(a) a lifting fuselage having a cross-section constituting an airfoil in a majority of vertical planes taken parallel to the flight direction, an aspect ratio (AR.sub.f) of 0.33 to 1.10, a forebody having a substantially elliptic cross-section in all planes taken normal to the flight direction, and a substantially elliptic planform leading edge;(b) wings fixed to the fuselage having an aspect ratio (AR.sub.w) of at least 5.0;(c) a mechanism controlling aircraft attitude; and(d) a mechanism propelling the aircraft;wherein the wings and fuselage produce lift in varying proportions depending upon flight conditions as follows:(i) the aircraft has a cruise design point in which the fuselage lift coefficient (C.sub.LF) is 0.08 or less, and(ii) the fuselage lift coefficient is at least 0.50 at an angle of attack (.alpha..sub.LZo) of 10.degree.

Abstract: A body configuration for improving the fluid-dynamic performance efficiency of aircraft and watercraft comprises a generally conical upper segment (54) and a generally conical lower segment (56) that are joined at a common base plane (53), achieved by inverting the conical lower segment (56). The slopes of the conical surfaces are determined by the prescribed planform of the craft or vehicle and by the height of the conical segments wherein the height of the conical upper segment (h.sub.u) is less than and typically two-thirds that of the conical lower segment (h.sub.L). Although not limited to elliptical planforms, a generally circular planform (52) is preferred for a vertical takeoff and landing aircraft operating in the subsonic flight regime and an elliptical planform (68), with a large aspect ratio for takeoff and low-speed flight, then rotating to a low-aspect-ratio orientation for supersonic flight operation, is preferred for supersonic transport and single-stage-to-orbit type aircraft.

Abstract: An air-launchable gliding sonobuoy store includes a canister enclosing an flatable membranous wing folded in a collapsed state with an electroacoustic system. After launching, the wing inflates and a steering mechanism controls the wing glide path by skewing the trailing edge thereof. Upon reaching the sea, the wing serves as a buoy with the electroacoustic system transducer depending therefrom.

Abstract: A reverse delta aerodynamic wing has a basic reverse delta wing portion bounded by a leading edge and by a pair of trailing edges extending from respective ends of said leading edge toward a trailing apex point and respective span-wise wing extensions in a natural laminar boundary layer wing region extending chordwise from said leading edge by a fraction of the chordlength of said wing and extending span-wise from opposing sides of said wing. Laminar flow control in other regions of the wing employs fuel stored in the wing as a coolant.

Abstract: A surface effect craft of simple construction achieving improved operational stability and performance at various speeds. The craft includes a continuous aerodynamic wing structure having maximum thickness ratio wing thickness to chord length on the order of 30%. The outer wing sections are swept back forming a generally U-shaped rear section. The center of the craft preferably has a generally horizontal bottom forming a hydrodynamic planing surface having longitudinal concavities positioned on an underside thereof. The mass distribution of the craft is designed with an engine in the front and ducted fan propulsion system to the rear of the pilot's central seating position. This arrangement permits the pilot to utilize body movement to control the attitude of the watercraft during operation.

Abstract: A fighter aircraft achieves low aerodynamic drag and radar signature without sacrificing flight performance through a unique arrangement of the main weapons bay, the auxiliary weapons bays, and the main landing gear. Separate main and auxiliary weapons bays permit a narrower fuselage than could be obtained with a single common bay. Also, the auxiliary weapons bays and the landing gear can be aligned outboard of the main weapons bay without needing to increase the length or width of the aircraft. The air intake ducts extend aft from the intake and curve upwardly and inwardly over the main weapons bay. The result of the design configuration is an aircraft which has a forward aspect reduced to the minimum necessary to accommodate the components that need forward visibilities, which translates to minimum aerodynamic drag and radar signature.

Abstract: A supersonic flight aircraft having a longitudinally forwardly extending axis in the direction of flight, and a wing, comprising a wing extending generally laterally relative to the axis, and having a leading edge angled forward or rearwardly relative to a normal to the axis at an angle .lambda., and the wing having a maximum thickness t; the angle .lambda. and thickness t characterized that in that in supersonic flight conditions, the forwardmost shock wave produced in association with the wing extends generally along or rearwardly of the leading edge, whereby laminar airflow conditions are maintained over the leading edge and adjacent the surface of the wing.

Abstract: A method of construction to make military craft and weapons totally invisible to radar and active infra-red by the configuration of exterior surfaces, each surface having that specific surface figure which causes the reflected electromagnetic emission to be convergent to a point, and to be as small a return beam as possible at the distance of the detection device from the craft using the invention.

Abstract: A vehicle will serve as a road vehicle, as well as can be flown. The vehicle has a fuselage and a wing with a fixed span. The aspect ratio is low, allowing the vehicle to be operated on a normal roadway. An upper winglet extends upward from each side edge of the wing. A lower winglet extends downward from each side edge. Wheels mount to the lower edges of the lower winglets.

Abstract: An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) having a toroidal fuselage and a rotor assembly including counter-rotating rotors coaxially mounted with respect to the toroidal fuselage incorporates ancillary aerodynamic structures aerodynamically configured and mounted in combination with the toroidal fuselage to provide a nose-down pitching moment to counteract the nose-up pitching moment generated by airflow over the toroidal fuselage during forward translational flight of the UAV. The ancillary aerodynamic structures have a cambered airfoil profile to provide high lifting forces.

Abstract: A vehicle will serve as a road vehicle, as well as can be flown. The vehicle has a fuselage and a wing with a fixed span. The aspect ratio is low, allowing the vehicle to be operated on a normal roadway. An upper winglet extends upward from each side edge of the wing. A lower winglet extends downward from each side edge. Wheels mount to the lower edges of the lower winglets.

Abstract: An aircraft structure, such as a glider including a wing having a substantially flat, upper, first surface and a convex, lower, second surface. The wing first and second surfaces converge to a leading edge and a trailing edge. A weighted member is used to determine the center of gravity of the wing as being 15 to 25% of the length of the chord from the leading edge. The weight structure is fixed to the wing and may also serve as a structural member.

Abstract: A lifting body concept applicable to reusable space launch vehicles in which the propellant tankage is shaped in the form of a closed "vee" made up of intersecting cylindrical segments, and represents a major part of both the structural and aerodynamic configurations. The lifting body is made up of conical, wedge and swept cylinder elements. Absence of wings and large vertical stabilizing surfaces together with a configuration made up of joined straight line element surfaces makes for a low-cost, efficient, lightweight airframe/propellant tank configuration. The windward afterbody composed of flat and fixed radius cylindrical surfaces makes possible a small number of ceramic and/or metallic heat shield tiles and contributes to their easy installation and replacement.

Abstract: A survivability enhancement air vehicle adapted to be air launched from a launching aircraft has a fuselage with a top half and a bottom half separable from the top half. A first stage rocket constitutes the bottom half of the fuselage and a second stage rocket and associated avionics constitute the top half of the fuselage. Gull wings are rotatably mounted on the top half of the fuselage for rotation from a stowed position next adjacent the top half to an extended position substantially 90 degrees toward the bottom half upon being air launched. A separation device in the fuselage separates and drops the bottom half of the fuselage from the top half upon burnout of the first stage rocket. A control system in the top half of the fuselage controls the air vehicle in flight either from the launching aircraft or autonomously, whereby the air vehicle may be used to protect the launching aircraft in a hostile environment.

Abstract: A supersonic flight aircraft having a longitudinally forwardly extending axis in the direction of flight, and a wing, comprising a wing extending generally laterally relative to the axis, and having a leading edge angled forward or rearwardly relative to a normal to the axis at an angle .OMEGA., and the wing having a maximum thickness t; the angle .OMEGA. and thickness t characterized that in that in supersonic flight conditions, the forwardmost shock wave produced in association with the wing extends generally along or rearwardly of the leading edge, whereby laminar airflow conditions are maintained over the leading edge and adjacent the surface of the wing.

Abstract: A pair of spaced slots, disposed on each side of an aircraft centerline and spaced well inboard of the wing leading edges, are provided in the wing upper surfaces and directed tangentially spanwise toward thin sharp leading wing edges of a highly swept, delta wing aircraft. The slots are individually connected through separate plenum chambers to separate compressed air tanks and serve, collectively, as a system for providing aircraft lift augmentation. A compressed air supply is tapped from the aircraft turbojet power plant. Suitable valves, under the control of the aircraft pilot, serve to selective provide jet blowing from the individual slots to provide spanwise sheets of jet air closely adjacent to the upper surfaces and across the aircraft wing span to thereby create artificial vortices whose suction generate additional lift on the aircraft. When desired, or found necessary, unequal or one-side wing blowing is employed to generate rolling moments for augmented lateral control.

Abstract: An unpowered reusable flying wing glider employed in conjunction with an aerodynamically shaped spacecraft without wings so as to permit existing airfield launch and ascent to orbit for a rocket engine takeoff thrust to vehicle weight ratio of less than 1. After an optimum climb angle is established and before wing weight and wing drag degrade performance, the wing is released for a glide return to the launch site. The flying wing zero stage would contain tank(s) for fuel or fuel and oxidizer so that at wing release, the spacecraft tanks are full or nearly full for the continuing trajectory to orbit.

Abstract: An amphibious aircraft capable of V-STOL operations, the aircraft comprised of a pair of buoyant, coterminus, and elongated body members having an axially converging and diverging profile, joined together at the forward end thereof by a forward fuselage having at least one cambered surface, the entire structure thereof functioning as a lifting body, the forward fuselage having a pair of wings rigidly attachable thereto, and at least one propulsion unit attachable thereto proximal to the aircraft's longitudinal centerline, whereby the transition between vertical and conventional flight modes may be accomplished, the aircraft further having a stabilizer for pitch and yaw control which are pivotally and hingedly attachable to the rear of said elongated body members.

Abstract: An outboard control surface for an aircraft. The control surface is operably connected to wing side edges of the aircraft and includes a forward flap and a rearward flap with at least one of the flaps being movable into and out of alignment with the plane of the wing.

Abstract: The invention is a natural flow wing and a method for constructing the same. The method comprises contouring a three-dimensional upper surface and a three-dimensional lower surface of the natural flow wing independently of one another into a prescribed shape. Experimental data and theoretical analysis show that flow and pressure-loading over an upper surface of a wing tend to be conical about an apex of the wing, producing favorable and unfavorable regions of performance based on drag. The method reduces these unfavorable regions by shaping the upper surface such that a maximum thickness near a tip of the natural flow wing moves aft, thereby contouring the wing to coincide more closely with the conical nature of the flow on the upper surface. Nearly constant compressive loading characterizes the flow field over a lower surface of the conventional wing.

Abstract: An aircraft comprises a body portion and a pair of wings extending from either side of the body portion. An upward step is formed in the underside of the body portion in the center of the aircraft, and defines a rearwardly facing riser surface. The riser surface extends outwardly toward the wing tips, terminating substantially inwardly of the wing tips so that a majority of the length of the underside of each wing is uninterrupted by the riser surface. The step is located at the front-to-rear center of gravity of the aircraft, and provides an area of low pressure adjacent the riser surface to maintain the rear portion of the aircraft down. The aircraft can be constructed either as a full-scale or a small-scale aircraft.

Abstract: Aeroplane whereby the fuselage is formed by a wing-shaped body having an at least substantially constant width along the length of the wing-shaped body. Wings extending in a substantially vertical direction from the longitudinal edges of the wing-shaped body, are provided on both sides of the wing-shaped body.

Abstract: An all-wing aircraft is disclosed that has novel foreplane and depending aftplane, a center wing section and outer wing panel flying surfaces which cooperate aerodynamically to eliminate the need for conventional fuselage and tail structures. The foreplanes are strategically located to create a positive pitching moment which is sufficient to significantly reduce elevator forces and to balance the negative pitching moment induced by the outer wing panels and the downwardly extending aftplane units that provide static and dynamic pitch and yaw stability. At the same time, the foreplane structures serve as an unobstructed means to mount engines forward on the airframe to established a forward empty center of gravity. Additionally the aftplane structure serves as a means to mount main landing gears, elevators, ruddervators and to provide structural means for interconnecting outboard wing sections of the airplane.

Abstract: A rigid airship is disclosed herein having an annular or toroidal airfoil fuselage in front elevation for housing several elongated gas cells containing a buoyant gas such as helium. The fuselage includes at least two longitudinal and a plurality of transverse structural members for supporting the cells. A covering is provided about the fuselage comprising a multiplicity of fitted panels joined by retainer straps and locking nodes. The fuselage defines a central venturi having an annular intake and a contracted exit through which an elongated tapered tail cone extends in coaxial relationship with the fuselage. Boundary layer control is effected via manifolds associated with the fuselage panels and a variable geometry venturi passageway is effected by longitudinal movement of a control compartment and adjoining tapered tail cone.

Abstract: A multi-media craft particularly designed and constructed for efficient and economical utilization on land, water and in the air and comprising a light weight body constructed in modular form for economy and power by a removable lightweight engine of the motorcycle type for fuel efficiency and ease of maintenance. The craft is provided with forward and rearward sections constructed in a manner for variable in-flight or in-use alteration or molding thereof for achieving the optimum planar or contour design for the craft as required during variable fluid conditions when airborne, thus providing efficient and safe flying operation for either an unskilled or skilled operator.

Abstract: An aerospace vehicle having multiple propulsion systems on a relatively rotatable flying wing capable of takeoff and subsequent landing with intermediate space flight in the manner of a conventional aircraft and rocket, respectively, comprising an elongated wing member having internal passenger and crew, cargo and fuel storage compartments. A plurality of propulsion systems are distributed about the wing member for providing thrust and aerodynamic control. The vehicle also includes rotating means for controlling the direction of the thrust of the propulsion systems relative to the longitudinal axis of the wing whereby to rotate the wing member relative to the direction of flight. The vehicle takes off and lands with the longitudinal wing axis being transverse to the direction of thrust and therefore to the flight direction in a manner similar to that of conventional aircraft.

Abstract: An ultralight aircraft having a generally rectangular, swept-back, single-surface wing. The wing, which is formed by fabric mounted on exposed spars and ribs, has a reflex profile to provide pitch stability which is further augmented by horizontal stabilizers projecting rearwardly from the wing adjacent the tips. Roll and yaw control are provided by a pair of rudders pivotally mounted at each wing tip. The forward ends of the rudders pivot inwardly to alter the magnitude of the wing's lift. The rudders pivoted simultaneously act as spoilers and speed brakes controlling the rate of descent. Pivoting one of the rudders individually moves the center of lift for one wing inwardly and increases the drag of that wing to roll the aircraft into that wing. The rudders tilt upwardly and outwardly in a dihedral configuration to provide roll stability. Stationary end plates mounted at each wing tip adjacent the rudders provide yaw stability.

Abstract: A VTOL/STOL aircraft of simple design and construction. The aircraft has a central semi-venturi shaped airfoil surface defining a channel integral to the fuselage, a canard system and a horizontal stabilizer system at the respective ends of the channel, and a propulsion unit for accelerating airflow through the channel to achieve stable and easily maneuverable flight.

Abstract: A delta-wing and a tapered-wing planform are combined and result in an airplane which does not require a tail assembly or a fuselage and which provides a means to resolve the conflicting requirements for large circular aperture payload space and low drag, high endurance flight. The invention consists of a flying machine with a moveable disk structure which enables a suitable circular aperture phased array antenna system to be operated either within the wing envelope or in a vertical position so that multiple narrow pencil beams can be electronically steered in opposite directions from the airplane. The location of the antenna with respect to the wing structure is such that it can operate with a corporate-fed array in the horizontal position and/or a space-fed array in the vertical position.

Abstract: A vacuum cell induction lift wing adapted to be used in an aerodynamic generating channel wherein the lift wing includes an airfoil having a leading edge and a trailing edge and a top panel and an acoustically treated hollow interior, and wherein the airfoil includes airtight partitions forming individual cells within the hollow interior and the airfoil has inclined slots extending from the top panel into each of the individual cells wherein the inclined slots extend at an angle from each of the individual cells toward the trailing edge of the airfoil and wherein the airfoil is adapted to be positioned within an aerodynamic generating with the top panel of the airfoil being adapted to form a lower boundary of the aerodynamic generating channel and to define a slip thereacross from an airstream support operatively coupled to the airfoil adjacent the trailing edge to enable the airfoil to be rotated therearound to change the angle of incidence of the top panel to an airstream passing thereacross and a pivot sup

Abstract: An airplane airframe having wings connected to the fuselage by spars of smaller cross section than the wings. Movable winglets may be provided at the outboard ends of the wings. The fuselage may be an airfoil shaped lifting body structure with longitudinal splines at its edges. The splines may be movable in flight, and may be provided with flaps which are also movable in flight so that the splines can be readjusted to alter the aerodynamic characteristics of the airframe during flight. The undersurface of the fuselage may include cambers symmetrical about the center plane of the fuselage.

Abstract: An aircraft having a fuselage provided with an internal duct extending longitudinally therethrough to provide an internal wing for the craft, the internal duct having the forward end open for receiving an air stream therethrough and the aft end thereof open for discharge of the air stream therefrom, the internal contour of the duct being alterable in accordance with required operational conditions for the flight of the craft, and a plurality of control flaps and/or vanes provided at the aft end of the duct for proving operational controls for the craft in the manner of a more conventional external wing craft.

Abstract: Lift for an aircraft is provided by forming a longitudinal lifting duct therethrough, said lifting duct having a substantially planar roof and a longitudinally cambered floor. When the aircraft is driven forwardly, a stream of air enters and passes through the lifting duct and the contouring of the floor of the lifting duct give rise to a pressure gradient in the air stream which result in a higher pressure on the roof of the lifting duct than on the floor thereof so that the pressure difference provides lift for the aircraft.

Abstract: A flying wing aircraft control for angle of attack and direction thereof, comprising retractile controlling surfaces rearward of the center of lift and along the trailing edges and extensible over the top and bottom cambers of the wing in spaced relation to the trailing portions thereof and with variable angular dispositions with respect to air flow over the cambers so as to establish the desired moment arm with respect to the lift center of the flying wing to control the same into and out of a nose-up attitude with respect to the line of flight and with respect to direction, as required.

Abstract: A liquid fuel prevaporization and backburning induction jet thrust transition tailpipe having a primary inlet adapted to be affixed to a turbojet engine and having a diverging area in the transition tailpipe formed of vertically converging and horizontally diverging walls terminating in a thrust nozzle, a pair of air plenums for directing an air/ram flow into the main airflow path having a bellmouth shaped inlet which communicates with an airflow inducing nozzle which terminates in a chamber having a downstream end opening forming a secondary inlet to the diverging area, a plurality of parallel, vertically spaced curved inductor vanes positioned in the secondary inlets and which are adapted to deflect a secondary airflow passing through the bellmouth shaped airflow inducing nozzle, chamber and secondary inlet into a path through the diverging area which is substantially directed towards the thrust nozzle, an upper and lower liquid fuel prevaporization chambers, fuel injectors, and gas outlets, a vaporized gas

Abstract: A shockcone and channeled disk-airframe having a top airfoil disk and lower airfoil disk comprising a wedge perimeter extending from the forward nose of a shockcone and therearound the leading edge to the trailing edge of an airframe body wherein the lower part of disk-airframe has a plurality of bottomwardly opened channels extending from the leading to the trailing edge whereto providing the channel walls. The disk-airframe has a plurality of inclined rudders operatively coupled to the vertical fins located rear on both sides of the top airfoil disk-airframe. The airframe is mushroom in sectional shape; the stem of the mushroom is the lower part of a disk-airframe and forms the depth of the fuselage and the walls of channels and the cap of the mushroom is the top airfoil disk which is convex from the wedge perimeter of the airframe within the upper part and providing the cargo space of a disk-airframe. The size of the channels is a minimum 50 percent of the width of the disk-airframe.

Abstract: A low aspect ratio airfoil or aircraft wing structure particularly useful in small personal aircraft and STOL aircraft wherein an improved propulsion system substantially eliminates wing tip vortices during take-off and climb operations. An air intake port on the upper surface of the airfoil adjacent the tip end of the foil supplies air for propulsion and increases the lift-to-drag characteristics of the aircraft.

Abstract: Various forms of V/STOL aircraft are disclosed, each having a tiltable exterior structure that is in the shape of a pair of connected partial circular conoids. In one general form the conoids house the thrust producing engines, whereas in another form they are immediately downstream thereof. Also provided is a sonic boom concentrator in the form of a fin having curved sidewalls and truncated ends.

Abstract: An airship is provided utilizing a spherical balloon filled with buoyant gas such as helium at a pressure substantially greater than atmospheric so that its dimensions are substantially unaffected by changes in atmospheric pressure or temperature. The spherical balloon is rotatably mounted on a normally horizontal axle having end portions projecting from opposite sides of the balloon, and includes a rigid load supporting yoke including two arms extending upwardly from a central load supporting structure and each with an upper end suspended from the axle. The yoke arms carry engines which propel the airship in a forward direction transverse to the axle, and means are provided for rotating the balloon about the axle so that the balloon front surface moves upward relative to the centre of the balloon and provides lift due to the Magnus effect.

Abstract: A high efficiency vertical tail unit is combined with a variable wing geory for large angles of attack, primarily for all-wing aircraft such as delta-type craft. The vertical tail unit is hinged for adjustment about an axis substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the fuselage. The outer wing portions are connected, at an angle, with a vertical tail unit which is directed vertically downward in its normal position. The assembly comprising an outer wing portion and a vertical tail unit is rotatable about the parallel axis whereby three different wing types may be realized in the same craft.

Abstract: A variable span wing in which a movable wing segment is externally mounted to slide along the trailing edge of the stationary main wing. The movable wing segment is extended beyond the span of the main wing at subsonic flight and retracted to the same span at supersonic flight. Extension (or retraction) on one side only provides roll control. Retraction subsonic speeds is utilized to achieve improved ride qualities and a reduction in wing loads at high load factors.

Abstract: A land-, air- and water-vehicle comprising a rolling, floatable and steerable fuselage, the roof-hinged doors of which serve as its wings, and which fuselage's lateral and rear portions are extendable into an airfoil with attached fins and stabilizer, whereby wings, fuselage and stabilizer provide sufficient aerodynamic lift.