A system for controlling a magnitude of a sonic boom caused by off-design operation of a supersonic aircraft includes a sensor configured to detect a condition of the supersonic aircraft. The system further includes a control surface that is mounted to a wing of the supersonic aircraft. The system still further includes a processor communicatively coupled to the sensor and operatively coupled with the control surface. The processor is configured to (1) receive information from the sensor indicative of the condition of the supersonic aircraft, (2) determine that there is a deviation between a lift distribution and a design-condition lift distribution based on the information, and (3) control the control surface to move in a manner that reduces the deviation. The magnitude of the sonic boom is reduced when the deviation is reduced.

A system for controlling a magnitude of a sonic boom caused by off-design operation of a supersonic aircraft includes a sensor configured to detect a condition of the supersonic aircraft. The system further includes a control surface that is mounted to a wing of the supersonic aircraft. The system still further includes a processor communicatively coupled to the sensor and operatively coupled with the control surface. The processor is configured to (1) receive information from the sensor indicative of the condition of the supersonic aircraft, (2) determine that there is a deviation between a lift distribution and a design-condition lift distribution based on the information, and (3) control the control surface to move in a manner that reduces the deviation. The magnitude of the sonic boom is reduced when the deviation is reduced.

A system for controlling a magnitude of a sonic boom includes a first sensor configured to detect a first condition of the supersonic aircraft. The system further includes a pair of wings configured to move fore and aft. The system further includes a processor communicatively coupled with the sensor and operatively coupled with the pair of wings. The processor is configured to (1) receive a first information from the first sensor indicative of the first condition, (2) calculate a lift distribution of the supersonic aircraft based on the first information, (3) determine an existence of a deviation of the lift distribution from a desired lift distribution based on the flight condition, and (4) control the pair of wings to move to redistribute the lift in a manner that more closely conforms to the desired lift distribution. The magnitude of the sonic boom is reduced when the deviation is reduced.

A system for controlling a magnitude of a sonic boom includes a first sensor configured to detect a first condition of the supersonic aircraft. The system further includes a pair of wings configured to move fore and aft. The system further includes a processor communicatively coupled with the sensor and operatively coupled with the pair of wings. The processor is configured to (1) receive a first information from the first sensor indicative of the first condition, (2) calculate a lift distribution of the supersonic aircraft based on the first information, (3) determine an existence of a deviation of the lift distribution from a desired lift distribution based on the flight condition, and (4) control the pair of wings to move to redistribute the lift in a manner that more closely conforms to the desired lift distribution. The magnitude of the sonic boom is reduced when the deviation is reduced.

Aspects relate to an aircraft having a controllable center of gravity and methods of controlling the center of gravity. An exemplary aircraft having a controllable center of gravity includes a first tank configured to store a first portion of a ballast, a second tank configured to store a second portion of the ballast disposed substantially aft of the first tank, at least a pipe configured to provide fluidic communication between the first tank and the second tank, at least a pump configured to pump the ballast bidirectionally between the first tank and the second tank by way of the at least a pipe, and a controller in communication with the at least a pump and configured to control a ballast ratio of the first portion of the ballast relative the second portion of the ballast and affect an aircraft center of gravity.

Aspects relate to an aircraft having a controllable center of gravity and methods of controlling the center of gravity. An exemplary aircraft having a controllable center of gravity includes a first tank configured to store a first portion of a ballast, a second tank configured to store a second portion of the ballast disposed substantially aft of the first tank, at least a pipe configured to provide fluidic communication between the first tank and the second tank, at least a pump configured to pump the ballast bidirectionally between the first tank and the second tank by way of the at least a pipe, and a controller in communication with the at least a pump and configured to control a ballast ratio of the first portion of the ballast relative the second portion of the ballast and affect an aircraft center of gravity.

A system and method for having a fuel cell wastewater balancer. The wastewater balancer includes a hydrogen tank which stores hydrogen to be consumed by a fuel cell and a ballast tank which stores wastewater produced as a biproduct of the fuel cell reaction. A controller maintains the center of gravity of an aircraft by distributing wastewater to the ballast tank as hydrogen is consumed by the fuel cell.

The present application discloses an aircraft configured for vertical take-off and landing and horizontal flight. The aircraft includes one or more processors configured to control distribution of fuel among a plurality of aircraft fuel tanks. Controlling the distribution of fuel includes: (a) determining a first fuel level in a first nacelle fuel tank, wherein the first nacelle fuel tank is configured to provide a supply of fuel to a first engine during both (i) a vertical take-off and land operation, and (ii) a horizontal flight operation, (b) determining a fuselage fuel level in a fuselage fuel tank, and (c) determining whether to redistribute fuel across at least the first nacelle fuel tank and the fuselage fuel tank based at least in part on the first fuel level and the fuselage fuel level.

The present application discloses an aircraft configured for vertical take-off and landing and horizontal flight. The aircraft includes one or more processors configured to control distribution of fuel among a plurality of aircraft fuel tanks. Controlling the distribution of fuel includes: (a) determining a first fuel level in a first nacelle fuel tank, wherein the first nacelle fuel tank is configured to provide a supply of fuel to a first engine during both (i) a vertical take-off and land operation, and (ii) a horizontal flight operation, (b) determining a fuselage fuel level in a fuselage fuel tank, and (c) determining whether to redistribute fuel across at least the first nacelle fuel tank and the fuselage fuel tank based at least in part on the first fuel level and the fuselage fuel level.

A fuel level control system and method for an aircraft to passively manage fuel center of gravity during consumption includes an upper tank, a lower tank disposed below the upper tank, a fuel transfer line connecting the tanks, an upper fuel transfer line outlet in the lower tank and a lower fuel transfer line outlet in the lower tank. The outlet outlets are in fluid communication with the upper tank via the fuel transfer line. An upper line outlet valve is associated with the upper fuel transfer line outlet for opening and closing the upper fuel transfer line outlet. A lower line outlet valve is associated with the lower fuel transfer line outlet for opening and closing the lower fuel transfer line outlet. A control shutoff valve is disposed on the fuel transfer line for selectively limiting flow through the fuel transfer line.