Abstract: An airfoil having a fore airfoil element, an aft airfoil element, and a slot region in between them. These elements induce laminar flow over substantially all of the fore airfoil element and also provide for laminar flow in at least a portion of the slot region. The method of the invention is one for inducing natural laminar flow over an airfoil. In the method, a fore airfoil element, having a leading and trailing edge, and an aft airfoil element define a slot region. Natural laminar flow is induced over substantially all of the fore airfoil element, by inducing the pressures on both surfaces of the fore airfoil element to decrease to a location proximate the trailing edge of the fore airfoil element using pressures created by the aft airfoil element.

Abstract: In a method and apparatus for controlling the deployment of a towline connecting a mooring craft to an ejected object comprising the steps of monitoring velocity to determine when a point for optimum braking has been achieved and then engaging a brake system to retard deployment of the towline, a DC motor augments and controls the brake system. The DC motor further controls the retrieval of the object. A cutter mechanism uses a first blade to grip the towing cable to maintain tension thereon as a second blade cuts the cable. A spring biased boom in combination with spring biased fins on the ejected object rapidly deploys the object from its storage housing. A locking mechanism secures the deployment mechanism in a stable locked position upon the object reaching its fully extended position.

Abstract: An airfoil having a fore airfoil element, an aft airfoil element, and a slot region in between them. These elements induce laminar flow over substantially all of the fore airfoil element and also provide for laminar flow in at least a portion of the slot region.

Abstract: An improved jumbo jet aircraft for mid-flight rescuing of another aircraft in distress.

Abstract: The safe and secure mass commercial air transportation to eliminate or, at least, mitigate dramatically the impact of a baggage-born explosion or fire in a cargo hold of a passenger airplane, menacing technical malfunction or failure of the airplane, or a human error, and to accommodate concurrently additional passengers aboard, owing to separating the cargo hold far sufficiently beyond the airplane and further placing the cargo hold into, at least one, cargo airtrailer in the form of an immense glider(s) driven by the airplane so that baggage and cargo are carried in the airtrailer, or accommodating the passengers aboard a passenger airtrailer (glider) driven by the airplane.

Abstract: An aircraft which rolls along a guide rail at low speeds and attains aerodynamically airborne flight guided along the rail at high speeds. The guide rail structure includes I beams suspended end to end from spaced apart arches. The guide rails are mounted on the lower ends of the I beam and include flat bottom surfaces and curved upper surfaces that receive the wheels of the aircraft in the low speed operating mode. The upper surfaces are portions of elliptical surfaces to assure proper positioning of the aircraft wheels. In the high speed airborne mode of operation, proximity sensors on the aircraft sense the distance to the guide rail. Controls receive inputs from the sensors and adjust the flight path accordingly.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for automatically jettisoning cargo carried by a dual-point suspension system when a suspension system failure is detected. Three conditions must be satisfied before a load is jettisoned. The average value of the load and an instantaneous value of the load on a hook must have fallen below a threshold value (zero load condition). A threshold amount of the load must have shifted from one hook to the other (dynamic load split condition). A threshold amount of an initial hook load must have been lost within a short period of time (rapid rate-of-decrease condition). For all three conditions, the threshold amount or value is adaptively set based on the actual load carried by the dual-point suspension. If all three conditions are satisfied for either the forward or the aft hook, the cargo is jettisoned. Additionally, a fourth condition that detects whether a structural limit of a hook has been exceeded is evaluated. If the structural limit has been exceeded, the load is jettisoned.

Abstract: An airborne body (1) towed behind an aircraft (2) is manoeuvrable around the flight path of the aircraft in order to intercept or collide with an incoming threat and thus protect the aircraft either by directly damaging the threat or causing it to fuze prematurely. Means for steering the body may take the form of control lines (3a, 3b, 3c) operated by winches (8).

Abstract: An airship in the form of a self-powered, elongated dirigible which comprises at least three sections connected together by joints. The sections including a front section with propulsion devices and control surfaces, at least one intermediate section designed to carry a payload and a rear section with control surfaces. The joints allow limited articulation between sections under gust conditions and tend to return the sections to aligned condition in calm air. A cover may provide a streamline exterior shape for the airship; alternatively the sections may have rims which mate together when there is no articulation to provide a smooth exterior shape.

Abstract: The towed glider flight control system of the invention has a towing frame interconnecting and pivotally connected at each end to the towed glider and the towing aircraft. Sensors measuring the angular relationships between the towing frame and the towed glider and the rage of change in these relationships and sensors measuring flight conditions of the glider and towing aircraft are connected to the input of a computer of which the output connects to the glider aerodynamic control surface. The computer determines differences between sensor sensed parameter values existing when a selected spatial geometric relationship exists between the glider and towing aircraft and sensor parameter values received by the computer from the sensors and from these differences the computer calculates motions required of the glider aerodynamic flight path control surfaces to establish a glider flight which establish and maintain the selected spatial geometric relationship of the glider and towing aircraft.

Abstract: A reeling control system and an air driven tow reel machine incorporating such a control system are disclosed. In the disclosed control system and reeling machine of the present invention, towline velocity is monitored and reel-in and reel-out operations are regulated according to a programmed towline velocity profile. A position sensor senses the position of the turbine vent doors and a velocity sensor device provides the instantaneous towline velocity. A velocity comparator compares the instantaneous towline velocity with a desired velocity value from a desired velocity profile. Based upon the difference between actual and desired towline velocities, a door control device generates a driving signal for controlling the vent door position accordingly.

Abstract: An energy-absorbing towline (14) comprises an elastomeric core (16) having a set of internal polymeric strands (18) helically wound around the outer surface (20) of the core in a first direction and a set of external polymeric strands (22) helically wound around the outer surface (24) of the internal strands in a direction opposite to the first direction. There may be more internal strands than external strands in order to maintain torque balance as the cable elongates. Each of the internal and external strands consists of a plurality of filaments (30), and each external strand (22) may have fewer strand filaments than each internal strand (18) so as to aid in torque balancing. Electrical conductors (26) may be helically disposed between turns of the external or the internal strands. When the towline experiences tension, the elastomeric core elongates, as do the helixes. But the diameters of the helixes contract, so the strands themselves do not elongate.

Abstract: A turbine/air vent reeling machine for use in aerial towed target applications and the like disclosed characterized by use of a novel turbine head/air vent design which extracts ram air energy from the wind stream impinging upon a moving aircraft for the purpose of driving and braking the reeling machine for pay-in and pay-out of a towed target. Control of the turbine rotational speed is achieved through plural variable opening vents located aft of the turbine head which are driven through an open and closed orientation by a servo-motor to throttle the air mass flow through the turbine head. Turbine speed is sensed by a tachometer which is coupled to a shaft driven by the turbine. The tachometer output voltage is introduced into a closed loop control circuit including processing electronics which compares the tachometer voltage to a pre-selected set point voltage corresponding to the desired rotational speed of the turbine.

Abstract: A method for coordinated turning of a formation of aircraft flying at air speed V, the formation characterized by respective rearward displacement D.sub.S and lateral displacement D.sub.R of each follower aircraft in formtion from a leader aircraft relative to a formation line of flight, is described which comprises the steps of rolling the leader into the turn at predetermined roll rate for a first time interval t.sub.r to a leader bank angle B.sub.

Abstract: An improved aerial gunnery target and reel system is provided which includes an aerial target, a housing affixable to an airframe, a cable spool secured for rotation in the housing, with cable wound therearound and connected to the target, a reel powering and control mechanism in the housing and a target launcher assembly in the housing. The launcher assembly includes a launcher arm extending from the housing, releasably secured to the target and movable with the target between a compact, protected target stored position and a target launch position where the target is exposed to the air slipstream during operation of an aircraft to which the system is connected. The arm rotates or telescopes between the two positions. The launcher assembly also includes a powering mechanism such as a pneumatic or hydraulic ram or an electric motor which moves the arm and attached target between the two positions. Such powering mechanism also operates a locking device to lock the arm to and unlock it from the target.

Abstract: An aircraft 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 aircraft may take the form of a self-propelled and self-contained airship, or may be merely a passive device for providing lift and intended to be towed by and controlled from a helicopter. The spherical balloon is 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.

Abstract: A method of reducing the destructive effects of a tornado, which has a rotary motion about a center and has at least one clear air inflow region at its periphery, comprises towing through the inflow region one or more fluid dynamic converters which impart a rotary motion to a column of air and thereby disturb the balance of the rotary motion of the tornado so as to reduce its intensity. The fluid dynamic converter comprises a cylindrical casing which is towed in a lengthwise direction by an airplane and has inside the casing a screw-like vane which imparts a rotary motion to the airstream flowing through the casing.

Abstract: A tow target system for use with a remotely piloted aircraft, including deployment of the target(s) from wing launchers on a tow line, braking of the tow line, release of target and tow line from the aircraft, and parachute recovery of the jettisoned target. A dual tow reel and two tow target launchers are provided on the carrier aircraft for sequential operation of more than one towed target. Signals received from the ground control only the target deployment from its carrier and the later jettisoning of the towed target when desired. The braking system has automatically operative control means for pay-out speed, slowing, and stopping of the reels at predetermined line lengths. The parachute recovery is automatically initiated by aerodynamic control forces when target release is commanded.

Abstract: A target acquisition and designation system is disclosed which enables an aircraft to perform aerial reconnaissance and surveillance, strikes of fixed or mobile targets, and other defense missions while at an altitude below which detection by enemy radar is effective. The system utilizes a very small, stealthy, unmanned glider equipped with a Forward Looking Infrared (FLIR) image sensor and a laser designator. The glider is towed by the aircraft and remotely controlled to fly at an elevation high above the aircraft where the FLIR and laser designator can be effectively utilized. A lightweight towline comprising one or more load-bearing tension members surrounded by a flexible member having a symmetrical streamlined exterior shape substantially reduces drag and allows the glider to be deployed from conventional aircraft.

Abstract: A remotely controlled powered aircraft equipped with engine, propeller and landing gear, radio-controlled from the ground and capable of towing a manned hang glider to an appropriate altitude. On reaching altitude, the pilot of the hang glider releases the tow, and the pilotless towing aircraft is returned to the launching site under radio control from the ground. During towing of the hang glider, two-way communication is maintained between the hang glider pilot and the towing aircraft remote pilot.

Abstract: The specification discloses a dispenser carried by a helicopter for dispensing a jelly-like mixture of aluma gel and gasoline. The dispenser has a frame carrying a barrel containing the mixture. A pump on the frame pumps the mixture through a nozzle from which the mixture drops and igniting electrodes ignite the jelly-like mixture which contracts into a flaming ball and drops on slash to be burned.

Abstract: A banner towing adapter for use in the towing of a banner or target by an rcraft of the type having an arresting tail hook assembly. The towing adapter is installable in the hollow tail hook attachment pin of the aircraft by means of an expanding sleeve. The sleeve is fixed to a first upwardly extending immovable arm which secures the sleeve to the tail hook support structure located on the aircraft. A second arm, rotatably attached to the sleeve and coupled to the tail hook, is provided at its distal end with a hook suitable for securing a towline from the banner to be towed. The towline securing hook is disposable between two hook retainers which act as a constraint when the towline is on the hook. One of the retainers is disposed at the far end of the first arm while the other hook retainer is rotatable about a point fixed on the first arm. The second retainer is lockable in a retaining position by a ball lock pin.

Abstract: A reel launcher having a saddle operationally deployable beneath an aircr for carrying and towing an aerial tow target. The tow target is connected to the tow cable by an adapter which includes a notch for registration with a latch in the launcher. The adapter includes a nose section and one of a plurality of end fittings specially formed to engage a corresponding connection in different tow targets. The length of the adapter is adjustable by a threaded connection between the nose section and the end fitting which may be locked with the notch in proper alignment by a slot, key and notch arrangement between the two ends. Thus, a single nose section operable with a launcher may be used with different end fittings and tow targets with no other modifications.

Abstract: Connector for tow cable which carries tow tension and electrical circuits permits release of both the tension and the circuits. Electrical connectors in high current circuits are arranged so that the male connector is pulled out of the female electric socket, and the arc between them is elongated, but the arc chamber is closed until the arc is extinguished.

Abstract: An apparatus for automatically decoupling two bodies that are coupled and are under a tension load. Unlike the prior art, the decoupling is actuated and accomplished entirely mechanically, and without the use of any explosives; and, the apparatus is reusable.

Abstract: A target aircraft adapted to be towed by an airplane, comprising a fuselage, a tail assembly, two pairs of wings mounted on the fuselage in a cross-like configuration, spoilers mounted in each of the wings, and electromagnets for actuating the spoilers.