A blended wing body aircraft wherein at least each profile section corresponding to the normalized half-span values from 0 to 0.2 has a thickness ratio having a nominal value within the range set forth in Table 1. Also, a blended wing body aircraft wherein at least each profile section corresponding to the normalized half-span values from 0.15 to 0.3 has a normalized chord having a nominal value within the range set forth in Table 1, and wherein a ratio between a maximum thickness of the center body and the chord length along the centerline has a nominal value of at least 16%. Also, a blended wing body aircraft wherein a region of the aircraft defined by normalized half-span values from 0.1 to 0.2 has a normalized chord having a dimensionless rate of change from 3.5 to 5.1, and a thickness ratio having a rate of change from 0.27 to 0.72.

A vertical-tailless aircraft includes a body, a main wing, and a negative pressure generating portion. The body extends in a direction along an aircraft axis and includes a front body and a rear body. The main wing is provided on a side surface of the body. The negative pressure generating portion is provided at the rear body and is configured to generate negative pressure on the side surface of the rear body in a case that the vertical-tailless aircraft sideslips.

Various embodiments may provide an airborne system for measuring meteorological parameters, including a high altitude unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) formed completely or partially of closed-cell polyurethane foam. In various embodiments, the UAV may include extendable wings configured to extend and retract as the UAV climbs and descends to different altitude levels. In various embodiments, the UAV may include one or more infrasonic sensors and wind screening configured to measure one or more meteorological parameters, such as wind shear, seismic waves, magnetic storms, magnetohydrodynamic waves, severe weather, tornadoes, hurricanes, meteors, and lighting. The infrasonic sensors may be configured to determine wind shear at the local and regional level. In various embodiments, other meteorological sensors may also be included in/on the UAV in addition to the infrasonic sensors.

A supersonic aircraft fuselage includes a fuselage body having a first end, a second end, a length extending between the first end and second end, a surface, a first flat plane extending from the first end to a center of the fuselage body along the length on the surface, and a second flat plane extending from the second end to the center of the fuselage body along the length on the surface. The surface includes a curved portion conforming to a Sears-Haack body shape and abutting the first flat plane and second flat plane and extending between the first end and second end. A supersonic aircraft includes a first fuselage, a second fuselage, and a space between the first fuselage and second fuselage. The first fuselage and second fuselage form a Busemann biplane geometry within the space.

This invention is directed toward an aerodynamically designed drone with a unique angle of propulsion. The drone uses airfoil design to move more efficiently through the air, and the aerodynamic design is optimized when the drone is tilted forward at various degrees of tilt to provide the most aerodynamic profile to the oncoming air. The invention contemplates single hull, double hull and triple hull designs, and is applicable to heaving lifting drones, drones use for photography and remote sensing, and racing drones.

The present invention relates to a multi-modal vehicle operable in a first mode as a fixed wing aircraft and reconfigurable to be operable in a second mode as a ground vehicle. The vehicle comprises first and second ends configured to operate in a first direction, with the first end leading the second end, in the first mode and in a second direction, with the second end leading the first end, in normal operation in the second mode.

[Object] To realize an improvement in design accuracy and a reduction in design time in a process of matching an equivalent cross-sectional area of a design shape of a supersonic aircraft to a target equivalent cross-sectional area in a sonic boom reduction method based on an equivalent cross-sectional area.

[Solving Means] The technique includes: setting an initial shape of the airframe and a target equivalent cross-sectional area of the airframe; estimating a near field pressure waveform for the initial shape of the airframe assuming that the supersonic aircraft flies at a cruising speed; evaluating an equivalent cross-sectional area from the estimated near field pressure waveform for the initial shape of the airframe; and setting a Mach plane corresponding to the cruising speed, and setting a design curve on the Mach plane, the design curve corresponding to an initial curve at which the initial shape of the airframe and the Mach plane intersect so that the equivalent cross-sectional area approaches the target equivalent cross-sectional area. Then, the shape of the airframe is designed based on the design curve.

Wing to fuse junction shaping, and associated systems and methods are disclosed herein. An aircraft includes: a fuselage, a wing, and a fairing that covers a junction between the wing and the fuselage. The fairing is configured to receive an inboard section of the wing. An outer surface of the fairing includes an upstream bump proximate to a leading edge of the wing, a midsection sculpting, and a downstream bump proximate to a trailing edge of the wing.

A diamond quadcopter is described with tilting propulsion modules attached to a diamond faceted fuselage providing vertical thrust for Vertical Takeoff and Landing (VTOL) and transitioning to horizontal thrust for flight. The diamond faceted fuselage generates lift as a low aspect ratio lifting body. The diamond-like facet geometry enables propulsor placement to minimize interaction between the slipstream and fuselage in all modes of operation. A retractable landing gear with powered wheels allows Vertical/Short Takeoff and Landing (V/STOL) including emergency landings, and maneuverability on the ground. Landed and with gear retracted the bottom fuselage facet is close to ground level allowing an aft facet ramp for walk-on or roll-on access of passengers and payload. With the landing gear extended the vehicle can maneuver over cargo using the wheeled hub motors and then retract for insertion of cargo through a fuselage bottom door.

An aircraft includes a fuselage having a wing profile. An apparatus for thrust reversal is disposed on the tail of the aircraft. Air feed takes place from the outside, by way of a braking flap with an air intake channel and/or from a propelling machine.