Methods and apparatus to control aircraft horizontal stabilizers are described herein. One described method includes calculating, using a processor, a desired movement of a horizontal stabilizer of an aircraft to counteract a pitching moment of the aircraft, and controlling the horizontal stabilizer based on the desired movement.

Methods and apparatus to control aircraft horizontal stabilizers are described herein. One described method includes calculating, using a processor, a desired movement of a horizontal stabilizer of an aircraft to counteract a pitching moment of the aircraft, and controlling the horizontal stabilizer based on the desired movement.

The invention relates to a launched aerial surveillance vehicle, more specifically to a grenade or under-slung grenade launcher (UGL) aerial surveillance vehicle, a surveillance system and methods of providing rapid aerial surveillance. The vehicle once deployed is capable of autonomous flight paths, with basic inputs to change the circular flight paths, so as to build up surveillance for an area of interest. The vehicle comprises at least one optical sensor, which may be IR or visible range, to survey the area of interest, and feed the images back to at least one remote user.

The invention relates to a launched aerial surveillance vehicle, more specifically to a grenade or under-slung grenade launcher (UGL) aerial surveillance vehicle, a surveillance system and methods of providing rapid aerial surveillance. The vehicle once deployed is capable of autonomous flight paths, with basic inputs to change the circular flight paths, so as to build up surveillance for an area of interest. The vehicle comprises at least one optical sensor, which may be IR or visible range, to survey the area of interest, and feed the images back to at least one remote user.

For dual management of anti-icing and boundary-layer suction, a system for an aerofoil of an aircraft, including: a channel having a double function of anti-icing and boundary-layer suction; a double-function main pipe to which a device for monitoring the boundary-layer suction and a device for monitoring anti-icing are connected; an anti-icing air-intake pipe connecting the main pipe and the channel; a non-return valve enabling anti-icing air to go from the main pipe to the pipe; at least one suction-air collection pipe connecting the channel and the main pipe; and a non-return valve enabling suction air to pass from the pipe toward the main pipe.

For dual management of anti-icing and boundary-layer suction, a system for an aerofoil of an aircraft, including: a channel having a double function of anti-icing and boundary-layer suction; a double-function main pipe to which a device for monitoring the boundary-layer suction and a device for monitoring anti-icing are connected; an anti-icing air-intake pipe connecting the main pipe and the channel; a non-return valve enabling anti-icing air to go from the main pipe to the pipe; at least one suction-air collection pipe connecting the channel and the main pipe; and a non-return valve enabling suction air to pass from the pipe toward the main pipe.

An aircraft flow body includes a flow surface exposed to an airstream during flight, at least one structural component attached to an interior of the flow surface, at least one perforated area having a plurality of openings extending through the flow surface, a manifold positioned interior to the flow surface in fluid communication with the openings and upstream of the at least one structural component, and at least one suction duct having a first end in communication with the manifold and a second end placed exterior to the flow surface downstream of the structural component. The at least one suction duct includes a suction opening facing away from the first end and adapted for inducing a suction force into the at least one suction duct when the flow surface is exposed to the airstream during flight, thereby inducing a flow of air from through the openings to the suction opening.

A leading edge structure (1) for a flow control system of an aircraft (101) including a double-walled leading edge panel (3) with a first side portion (11) extending to a first attachment end (17), a second side portion (13) extending to a second attachment end (19), an inner wall element (21) facing a plenum (7), an outer wall element (23) facing ambient flow (25), and a core assembly (97). The outer wall element (23) includes micro pores (31) and the inner wall element (21) includes openings (33) which form a fluid connection from ambient flow, through the core assembly (97) and to the plenum (7). The thickness of the outer wall element is reduced due to the first attachment end (17) and/or at the second attachment end (19) attached to the inner wall element (21) by both bonding and fasteners (85, 87, 89, 91).

A leading edge structure (1) for a flow control system of an aircraft (101) including a double-walled leading edge panel (3) with a first side portion (11) extending to a first attachment end (17), a second side portion (13) extending to a second attachment end (19), an inner wall element (21) facing a plenum (7), an outer wall element (23) facing ambient flow (25), and a core assembly (97). The outer wall element (23) includes micro pores (31) and the inner wall element (21) includes openings (33) which form a fluid connection from ambient flow, through the core assembly (97) and to the plenum (7). The thickness of the outer wall element is reduced due to the first attachment end (17) and/or at the second attachment end (19) attached to the inner wall element (21) by both bonding and fasteners (85, 87, 89, 91).

A vertical takeoff and landing aircraft is described in which rotors can be disposed underneath the booms. This will allow for zero downward force resulting from thrust on the aircraft and therefore greater energy efficiency. Retractable doors can shield the rotors when not in use, decreasing drag during forward flight.