Methods for optimizing Boundary Layer Control (BLC) systems and related systems (e.g. a Laminar Flow Control (LFC) system or systems, a Static Pressure Thrust (SPT) system or systems, a Boundary Layer Ingestion (BLI)/Wake Immersed Propulsion (WIP) system or systems, and/or low-dissipation BLC fluid-movement system or systems) to operate in concert with each other and a bellows air-moving system are disclosed.

The invention discloses a propeller-driven helicopter or airplane which comprises a fuselage and a propeller comprising a plurality of blades, wherein a plurality of pressure pipes are uniformly distributed between windward sides and leeward sides of the blades; a plurality of first inlets are formed in the windward sides and are communicated with outside via first channels in the blades and second outlets at tails of the blades; a high-pressure fluid of a low-speed fluid layer formed when a fluid flows through the leeward sides in a widthwise direction flows towards a low-pressure fluid of a high-speed fluid layer formed when the fluid flows through the first inlets, the first channels and the second outlets; and an upward pressure generated by the high-pressure fluid is opposite to a downward pressure generated by an external fluid above the windward sides, so that a fluid pressure above the propeller is decreased.

A vertical tail unit (7) for flow control including: an outer skin (13) in contact with an ambient air flow (21), wherein the outer skin (13) extends between a leading edge (23) and a trailing edge (25), and surrounds an interior space (29), and wherein the outer skin (13) includes a porous section (31) in the area of the leading edge (23), a pressure chamber (15) arranged in the interior space (29), wherein the pressure chamber (15) is fluidly connected to the porous section (31), an air inlet (17) provided in the outer skin (13), wherein the air inlet (17) is fluidly connected to the pressure chamber (15), wherein the air outlet (19) is fluidly connected to the pressure chamber (15). The vertical tail unit (7) has reduced drag and an increased efficiency because the air inlet (17) is formed as an opening (35) in the outer skin (13) at the leading edge (23).

A method of delivering heavy payload using an autonomous UAV able to deliver supply by way of airdrop with more precision and at a lower cost. The UAV is equipped with two movable wing systems that rotate from a stowed position to a deployed position upon jettison of the UAV from a mothership. The UAV can be controlled remotely or it can operate autonomously and the movable wings can include ailerons to effectuate flight control of the UAV. The UAV can be reusable or can be an expendable UAV.

The aircraft can include: an airframe, a tilt mechanism, a payload housing, and can optionally include an impact attenuator, a set of ground support members (e.g., struts), a set of power sources, and a set of control elements. The airframe can include: a set of rotors and a set of support members.

A convertiplane is described that comprises: a fuselage, having a first longitudinal axis and, in turn, comprising a nose and a tail portion; a pair of wings arranged on respective opposite sides of the fuselage, carrying respective rotors and generating a lift value; and a pair of engines operatively connected to respective rotors; each rotor comprising a mast rotatable about a second axis between a helicopter configuration and an aeroplane configuration; each rotor is interposed between the fuselage and the relative rotor along the direction of extension of the relative wing.

A helicopter is described comprising: a tail boom; a fin projecting from the tail boom; and a tailplane arranged at the tail boom and transversal to the fin; at least one of the fin and the tailplane defining a first aerodynamic surface generating a first aerodynamic force; at least one first element transversal to the first aerodynamic surface; and a second aerodynamic surface generating a second aerodynamic force, connected to the first element, facing and spaced from the first aerodynamic surface; the second aerodynamic surface is spaced from the other of the fin and the tailplane.

An adjustable lift modification wingtip may be attached to a baseline wing of an aircraft. The adjustable lift modification wingtip may comprise a horizontal portion including a control surface and a vertical portion coupled to the horizontal portion. The vertical portion may move about an axis that may be substantially perpendicular to the horizontal portion. The control surface and the vertical portion may be adjusted in conjunction to increase wing efficiency at a flight condition.

An aircraft includes a fuselage, a wing attached thereto, a wing tip device attached to a wing end of the wing (2), a wing-like element having a wing root, a wing leading edge and a wing trailing edge, and a torque control device having a rotatable interface means. The torque control device is adapted for rotatably supporting the wing root of the wing-like element on the interface means about a rotational axis extending from the interface means into the wing-like element and to limit the degree of rotation depending on a torque introduced into the interface means by the wing-like element. The wing-like element is adapted to induce a rotation around the rotational axis in an air flow. The wing root is coupled with the wing tip device, the wing or the fuselage through the torque control device such that the leading edge extends into an airflow surrounding the aircraft.

The invention relates to a profiled structure elongated in a direction in which the structure has a length exposed to an airflow and transversely to which the structure has a leading edge and/or a trailing edge, at least one of which is profiled and has, along said direction of elongation, geometric serration patterns defined by a succession of peaks and troughs. Along the profiled leading edge and/or trailing edge, the serration patterns have a geometric pattern that is repeated in the direction of elongation, the shape of which is stretched and/or contracted transversely to the direction of elongation and/or in the direction of elongation.