A variety of refueling devices, systems and methods are disclosed for use in in-flight refueling. In one example one such device is towed by a tanker aircraft via a fuel hose at least during in-flight refueling, and has a boom member with a boom axis. The boom member enables fuel to be transferred from the fuel hose to a receiver aircraft along the boom axis during in-flight refueling. The device maintains a desired non-zero angular disposition between the boom axis and a forward direction at least when the refueling device is towed by the tanker aircraft in the forward direction via the fuel hose.

Disclosed is an airborne unitary structure, to a kit and to a method for assembling and scaling such an airborne unitary structure. The unitary structure is configured to be towed by an aircraft such as an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle. The kit comprises at least two sensor modules and a linkage assembly. The two sensor modules are each configured to house at least one geophysical sensor. The linkage assembly is configured to rigidly connect the at least two sensor modules with one another and spaced apart from one another and thus securing their exact position relative to one another to allow exact relative measurements. To adapt the structure to different measurement tasks, the linkage assembly is configured to be assembled in a first configuration and in a second configuration, wherein the first configuration differs from the second configuration in at least one of a distance between the at least two sensor modules and the number of sensor modules in the array. The structure may be particularly used for gradient measurements, such as using magnetometers as geophysical sensors. In a particularly advantageous embodiment, the sensor modules and/or the linkage assembly themselves are of modular structure.

Disclosed is an airborne unitary structure, to a kit and to a method for assembling and scaling such an airborne unitary structure. The unitary structure is configured to be towed by an aircraft such as an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle. The kit comprises at least two sensor modules and a linkage assembly. The two sensor modules are each configured to house at least one geophysical sensor. The linkage assembly is configured to rigidly connect the at least two sensor modules with one another and spaced apart from one another and thus securing their exact position relative to one another to allow exact relative measurements. To adapt the structure to different measurement tasks, the linkage assembly is configured to be assembled in a first configuration and in a second configuration, wherein the first configuration differs from the second configuration in at least one of a distance between the at least two sensor modules and the number of sensor modules in the array. The structure may be particularly used for gradient measurements, such as using magnetometers as geophysical sensors. In a particularly advantageous embodiment, the sensor modules and/or the linkage assembly themselves are of modular structure.

A variety of refueling devices, systems and methods are disclosed for use in in-flight refueling. In one example one such device is towed by a tanker aircraft via a fuel hose at least during in-flight refueling, and has a boom member with a boom axis. The boom member enables fuel to be transferred from the fuel hose to a receiver aircraft along the boom axis during in-flight refueling. The device maintains a desired non-zero angular disposition between the boom axis and a forward direction at least when the refueling device is towed by the tanker aircraft in the forward direction via the fuel hose.

A variety of refueling devices, systems and methods are disclosed for use in in-flight refueling. In one example one such device is towed by a tanker aircraft via a fuel hose at least during in-flight refueling, and has a boom member with a boom axis. The boom member enables fuel to be transferred from the fuel hose to a receiver aircraft along the boom axis during in-flight refueling. The device maintains a desired non-zero angular disposition between the boom axis and a forward direction at least when the refueling device is towed by the tanker aircraft in the forward direction via the fuel hose.

A system for lifting and transporting an aircraft comprising a trailer, a lower and an upper inflatable airbag system and a plurality of ties. The trailer can comprise a rigid frame having an upper surface and a lower surface and a plurality of hook ups for attaching ties to the aircraft, at least one pair of wheels. The lower inflatable airbag system is configured for placement below the lower surface of the trailer and the upper inflatable airbag system is configured for placement above the upper surface of the trailer. A method of using the system comprises placing the system underneath the aircraft, inflating the airbag systems, attaching the wheels to the frame of the trailer, securing the aircraft to the trailer, deflating the lower inflatable airbag system, and transporting the aircraft.

To provide a flying body in which a working part can be brought close to an appropriate distance from a work target the flying body system according to the present disclosure includes a first rotorcraft and a second rotorcraft. The first rotorcraft and the second rotorcraft are connected by a connecting cable. At least, the second rotorcraft includes a working part. The first rotorcraft and the second rotorcraft maintain the flight of the first rotorcraft and the second rotorcraft in a flight mode, and maintain the flight of the first rotorcraft while work is performed by a working unit even if the flight of the second rotorcraft is stopped in a work mode.

To provide a flying body in which a working part can be brought close to an appropriate distance from a work target the flying body system according to the present disclosure includes a first rotorcraft and a second rotorcraft. The first rotorcraft and the second rotorcraft are connected by a connecting cable. At least, the second rotorcraft includes a working part. The first rotorcraft and the second rotorcraft maintain the flight of the first rotorcraft and the second rotorcraft in a flight mode, and maintain the flight of the first rotorcraft while work is performed by a working unit even if the flight of the second rotorcraft is stopped in a work mode.

A parasite aircraft for airborne deployment and retrieve includes a wing; a fuselage rotatably mounted to the wing; a dock disposed on top of the fuselage and configured to receive a maneuverable capture device of a carrier aircraft; a pair of tail members extending from the fuselage; and a plurality of landing gear mounted to the wing. A method of preparing a parasite aircraft for flight includes unfolding an end portion of a wing; unfolding an end portion of a tail member of the parasite aircraft; and rotating a fuselage of the parasite aircraft so that the fuselage is perpendicular to the wing. A method of preparing a parasite aircraft for storage includes rotating a fuselage of the parasite aircraft to be parallel with a wing of the parasite aircraft; folding an end portion of the wing; and folding an end portion of a tail member of the parasite aircraft.

A parasite aircraft for airborne deployment and retrieve includes a wing; a fuselage rotatably mounted to the wing; a dock disposed on top of the fuselage and configured to receive a maneuverable capture device of a carrier aircraft; a pair of tail members extending from the fuselage; and a plurality of landing gear mounted to the wing. A method of preparing a parasite aircraft for flight includes unfolding an end portion of a wing; unfolding an end portion of a tail member of the parasite aircraft; and rotating a fuselage of the parasite aircraft so that the fuselage is perpendicular to the wing. A method of preparing a parasite aircraft for storage includes rotating a fuselage of the parasite aircraft to be parallel with a wing of the parasite aircraft; folding an end portion of the wing; and folding an end portion of a tail member of the parasite aircraft.