Various embodiments of a system and associated method for a thrust-vector controlled unmanned aerial and ground vehicle are disclosed herein.

A system comprising an aerial vehicle or an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) configured to control pitch, roll, and/or yaw via airfoils having resiliently mounted trailing edges opposed by fuselage-house deflecting actuator horns. Embodiments include one or more rudder elements which may be rotatably attached and actuated by an effector member disposed within the fuselage housing and extendible in part to engage the one or more rudder elements.

A system comprising an aerial vehicle or an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) configured to control pitch, roll, and/or yaw via airfoils having resiliently mounted trailing edges opposed by fuselage-house deflecting actuator horns. Embodiments include one or more rudder elements which may be rotatably attached and actuated by an effector member disposed within the fuselage housing and extendible in part to engage the one or more rudder elements.

A vehicle, such as a micro-aerial vehicle or underwater vehicle, includes at least one lift structure, such as a low-aspect-ratio wing or a fin, respectively. The at least one lift structure comprises one or more alulas. A leading surface of each alula is (a) flush with a leading surface of the lift structure or (b) offset from the leading edge of the lift surface by up to approximately 10% of the chord length of the lift structure. The length of each alula is no more than approximately 20% of a lift structure length corresponding to the lift structure. In various embodiments, the alula is deflected or canted with respect to a plane defined by the lift structure. In an example embodiment, the alulas may be slid or translated along at least a portion of the span of the lift structure.

A vehicle, such as a micro-aerial vehicle or underwater vehicle, includes at least one lift structure, such as a low-aspect-ratio wing or a fin, respectively. The at least one lift structure comprises one or more alulas. A leading surface of each alula is (a) flush with a leading surface of the lift structure or (b) offset from the leading edge of the lift surface by up to approximately 10% of the chord length of the lift structure. The length of each alula is no more than approximately 20% of a lift structure length corresponding to the lift structure. In various embodiments, the alula is deflected or canted with respect to a plane defined by the lift structure. In an example embodiment, the alulas may be slid or translated along at least a portion of the span of the lift structure.

A control system for an aircraft includes a hydraulic pump, first hydraulic line, second hydraulic line, a first actuator coupled with a first control surface, a second actuator coupled with a second control surface, and a third actuator coupled with a third control surface. The first control surface and the second control surface are at a distance to each other and symmetrically relative to a symmetry axis. The third control surface is substantially on the symmetry axis, and the first hydraulic line and the second hydraulic line are connected to the hydraulic pump. The first actuator is connected to the first hydraulic line, and the second actuator is connected to the second hydraulic line. The third actuator is connected to the first hydraulic line downstream of the first actuator at a junction point, and the first hydraulic line at least partially includes a larger diameter than the second hydraulic line.

A control system for an aircraft includes a hydraulic pump, first hydraulic line, second hydraulic line, a first actuator coupled with a first control surface, a second actuator coupled with a second control surface, and a third actuator coupled with a third control surface. The first control surface and the second control surface are at a distance to each other and symmetrically relative to a symmetry axis. The third control surface is substantially on the symmetry axis, and the first hydraulic line and the second hydraulic line are connected to the hydraulic pump. The first actuator is connected to the first hydraulic line, and the second actuator is connected to the second hydraulic line. The third actuator is connected to the first hydraulic line downstream of the first actuator at a junction point, and the first hydraulic line at least partially includes a larger diameter than the second hydraulic line.

A wing leading-edge device is disclosed having a slat body having a front side with a forward skin and a back side with a rearward skin, and at least a drive arrangement having at least one lug and a slat track, wherein the back side extends between an upper spanwise edge of the forward skin and a lower spanwise edge of the forward skin. The back side is defined by a continuously curved profile contour for receiving a fixed leading edge, and the at least one lug is at least partially arranged between the back side and the front side. The slat track is coupled with the first lug. The connection points to the slat body are shifted far forward to improve the load introduction and reduce moments acting on the drive mechanism.

A wing leading-edge device is disclosed having a slat body having a front side with a forward skin and a back side with a rearward skin, and at least a drive arrangement having at least one lug and a slat track, wherein the back side extends between an upper spanwise edge of the forward skin and a lower spanwise edge of the forward skin. The back side is defined by a continuously curved profile contour for receiving a fixed leading edge, and the at least one lug is at least partially arranged between the back side and the front side. The slat track is coupled with the first lug. The connection points to the slat body are shifted far forward to improve the load introduction and reduce moments acting on the drive mechanism.

Various embodiments of a system and associated method for a thrust-vector controlled unmanned aerial and ground vehicle are disclosed herein.