A propulsion system coupled to a vehicle. The system includes a convex surface, a diffusing structure coupled to the convex surface, and at least one conduit coupled to the convex surface. The conduit is configured to introduce to the convex surface a primary fluid produced by the vehicle. The system further includes an intake structure coupled to the convex surface and configured to introduce to the diffusing structure a secondary fluid accessible to the vehicle. The diffusing structure comprises a terminal end configured to provide egress from the system for the introduced primary fluid and secondary fluid.

A propulsion system coupled to a vehicle. The system includes a convex surface, a diffusing structure coupled to the convex surface, and at least one conduit coupled to the convex surface. The conduit is configured to introduce to the convex surface a primary fluid produced by the vehicle. The system further includes an intake structure coupled to the convex surface and configured to introduce to the diffusing structure a secondary fluid accessible to the vehicle. The diffusing structure comprises a terminal end configured to provide egress from the system for the introduced primary fluid and secondary fluid.

A system comprising an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) configured to transition from a terminal homing mode to a target search mode, responsive to an uplink signal and/or an autonomous determination of scene change.

Methods, apparatus, and articles of manufacture to monitor a shock wave proximate a surface of an aircraft are disclosed. An example apparatus includes a first camera at a first location on an aircraft to capture a first image of a surface of the aircraft during a first time period, and capture a second image of the surface during a second time period, a second camera at a second location to capture a third image of the surface during the first time period, and capture a fourth image of the surface during the second time period. The example apparatus further includes a position calculator to identify a first position of a shock wave based on the first and third images, and a second position based on the second and fourth images, and calculate a difference between the first and the second positions, and a command generator to generate a command to control at least one of an actuator and a control surface based on the difference.

A vehicle, includes a main body. A fluid generator is coupled to the main body and produces a fluid stream. At least one fore conduit and at least one tail conduit are fluidly coupled to the generator. First and second fore ejectors are fluidly coupled to the fore conduit, coupled to the main body and respectively coupled to a starboard side and port side of the vehicle. The fore ejectors respectively comprise an outlet structure out of which fluid flows. At least one tail ejector is fluidly coupled to the tail conduit. The tail ejector comprises an outlet structure out of which fluid flows. A primary airfoil element is coupled to the tail portion. A surface of the primary airfoil element is located directly downstream of the first and second fore ejectors such that the fluid from the first and second fore ejectors flows over the such surface.

A vehicle, includes a main body. A fluid generator is coupled to the main body and produces a fluid stream. At least one fore conduit and at least one tail conduit are fluidly coupled to the generator. First and second fore ejectors are fluidly coupled to the fore conduit, coupled to the main body and respectively coupled to a starboard side and port side of the vehicle. The fore ejectors respectively comprise an outlet structure out of which fluid flows. At least one tail ejector is fluidly coupled to the tail conduit. The tail ejector comprises an outlet structure out of which fluid flows. A primary airfoil element is coupled to the tail portion. A surface of the primary airfoil element is located directly downstream of the first and second fore ejectors such that the fluid from the first and second fore ejectors flows over the such surface.

A propulsion system assembly is provided including a driveshaft and a plurality of electric motor modules. The driveshaft is rotatably mounted to a casing about a drive axis, the driveshaft including a first shaft end and an opposite facing second shaft end. The plurality of electric motor modules are in axially stacked relationship with one another with respect to the drive axis to define an electric motor module stack, each electric motor module being configured for transmitting a torque to the driveshaft when coupled thereto independently of at least one other electric motor module. Each electric motor module includes a controllable clutch arrangement for selectively coupling and decoupling the respective electric motor module with respect to the driveshaft to respectively enable and disable transmission of torque between the respective electric motor module and the driveshaft.

A propulsion system assembly is provided including a driveshaft and a plurality of electric motor modules. The driveshaft is rotatably mounted to a casing about a drive axis, the driveshaft including a first shaft end and an opposite facing second shaft end. The plurality of electric motor modules are in axially stacked relationship with one another with respect to the drive axis to define an electric motor module stack, each electric motor module being configured for transmitting a torque to the driveshaft when coupled thereto independently of at least one other electric motor module. Each electric motor module includes a controllable clutch arrangement for selectively coupling and decoupling the respective electric motor module with respect to the driveshaft to respectively enable and disable transmission of torque between the respective electric motor module and the driveshaft.

A flight augmentation system with optical sensors to capture information from aircraft instruments. The system may determine a status of the aircraft based on the captured information and provide guidance to an operator. The system may collect long term data and determine an operational history of a pilot or an aircraft. The system may provide instruction based on the data or provide to interested third parties.

A flight augmentation system with optical sensors to capture information from aircraft instruments. The system may determine a status of the aircraft based on the captured information and provide guidance to an operator. The system may collect long term data and determine an operational history of a pilot or an aircraft. The system may provide instruction based on the data or provide to interested third parties.