A package delivery system uses unmanned aircraft operable to transition between thrust-borne lift in a VTOL configuration and wing-borne lift in a forward flight configuration. Each of the aircraft includes an airframe having at least one wing with a distributed thrust array coupled to the airframe. The distributed thrust array includes a plurality of propulsion assemblies configured to provide vertical thrust in the VTOL configuration and a plurality of propulsion assemblies configured to provide forward thrust in the forward flight configuration. A package delivery module is coupled to the airframe. A control system is operably associated with the distributed thrust array and the package delivery module. The control system is configured to individually control each of the propulsion assemblies and control package release operations of the package delivery module. The system includes a ground station configured to remotely communicate with the control systems of the aircraft during package delivery missions.

A package delivery system uses unmanned aircraft operable to transition between thrust-borne lift in a VTOL configuration and wing-borne lift in a forward flight configuration. Each of the aircraft includes an airframe having at least one wing with a distributed thrust array coupled to the airframe. The distributed thrust array includes a plurality of propulsion assemblies configured to provide vertical thrust in the VTOL configuration and a plurality of propulsion assemblies configured to provide forward thrust in the forward flight configuration. A package delivery module is coupled to the airframe. A control system is operably associated with the distributed thrust array and the package delivery module. The control system is configured to individually control each of the propulsion assemblies and control package release operations of the package delivery module. The system includes a ground station configured to remotely communicate with the control systems of the aircraft during package delivery missions.

An aerial vehicle may include a first wing structure. The aerial vehicle may further include a first propeller and a second propeller disposed along the first wing structure. The aerial vehicle may further include a second wing structure disposed to intersect the first wing structure to form a cross configuration. The aerial vehicle may further include a third propeller and a fourth propeller disposed along the second wing structure. In a hovering orientation of the aerial vehicle, respective propeller rotational axes of the first and second propellers may be angled off-vertical in respective planes which may be perpendicular to a transverse axis of the first wing structure, and respective propeller rotational axes of the third and fourth propellers may be angled off-vertical in respective planes which may be perpendicular to a transverse axis of the second wing structure.

An aerial vehicle may include a first wing structure. The aerial vehicle may further include a first propeller and a second propeller disposed along the first wing structure. The aerial vehicle may further include a second wing structure disposed to intersect the first wing structure to form a cross configuration. The aerial vehicle may further include a third propeller and a fourth propeller disposed along the second wing structure. In a hovering orientation of the aerial vehicle, respective propeller rotational axes of the first and second propellers may be angled off-vertical in respective planes which may be perpendicular to a transverse axis of the first wing structure, and respective propeller rotational axes of the third and fourth propellers may be angled off-vertical in respective planes which may be perpendicular to a transverse axis of the second wing structure.

An aircraft operable to transition between thrust-borne lift in a VTOL orientation and wing-borne lift in a biplane orientation. The aircraft has an airframe including first and second wings with a fuselage extending therebetween. A propulsion assembly is coupled to the fuselage and includes a counter-rotating coaxial rotor system that is tiltable relative to the fuselage to generate a thrust vector. A flight control system is configured to direct the thrust vector. In the VTOL orientation, the first wing is forward of the fuselage, the second wing is aft of the fuselage and the coaxial rotor system is configured to provide thrust in line with a yaw axis of the aircraft. In the biplane orientation, the first wing is below the fuselage, the second wing is above the fuselage and the coaxial rotor system is configured to provide thrust in line with a roll axis of the aircraft.

An aircraft operable to transition between thrust-borne lift in a VTOL orientation and wing-borne lift in a biplane orientation. The aircraft has an airframe including first and second wings with a fuselage extending therebetween. A propulsion assembly is coupled to the fuselage and includes a counter-rotating coaxial rotor system that is tiltable relative to the fuselage to generate a thrust vector. A flight control system is configured to direct the thrust vector. In the VTOL orientation, the first wing is forward of the fuselage, the second wing is aft of the fuselage and the coaxial rotor system is configured to provide thrust in line with a yaw axis of the aircraft. In the biplane orientation, the first wing is below the fuselage, the second wing is above the fuselage and the coaxial rotor system is configured to provide thrust in line with a roll axis of the aircraft.

An aircraft includes an airframe with first and second wings having a fuselage extending therebetween. A propulsion assembly is coupled to the fuselage and includes a counter-rotating coaxial rotor system that is tiltable relative to the fuselage to generate a thrust vector. Tail assemblies are coupled to wingtips of the first and second wings each having an elevon that collectively form a distributed array of elevons. A flight control system is configured to direct the thrust vector of the coaxial rotor system and to control movements of the elevons such that the elevons collectively provide pitch authority and differentially provide roll authority for the aircraft in the biplane orientation. In addition, when the flight control system detects an elevon fault, the flight control system is configured to perform corrective action responsive thereto at a distributed elevon level or at a coordinated distributed elevon and propulsion assembly level.

An aircraft includes an airframe with first and second wings having a fuselage extending therebetween. A propulsion assembly is coupled to the fuselage and includes a counter-rotating coaxial rotor system that is tiltable relative to the fuselage to generate a thrust vector. Tail assemblies are coupled to wingtips of the first and second wings each having an elevon that collectively form a distributed array of elevons. A flight control system is configured to direct the thrust vector of the coaxial rotor system and to control movements of the elevons such that the elevons collectively provide pitch authority and differentially provide roll authority for the aircraft in the biplane orientation. In addition, when the flight control system detects an elevon fault, the flight control system is configured to perform corrective action responsive thereto at a distributed elevon level or at a coordinated distributed elevon and propulsion assembly level.

A propulsion assembly for an aircraft operable to transition between thrust-borne lift in a VTOL orientation and wing-borne lift in a biplane orientation. The propulsion assembly includes a housing coupled to the fuselage of the aircraft. A coaxial rotor system includes a first rotor assembly and a second rotor assembly that are rotatable about a common axis of rotation. The first rotor assembly counter-rotates relative to the second rotor assembly. A motor assembly is operably associated with the coaxial rotor system. The motor assembly provides torque and rotational energy to the first rotor assembly and the second rotor assembly. A gimbal assembly couples the coaxial rotor system to the housing such that the coaxial rotor system is tiltable relative to the fuselage to generate a thrust vector.

An example of a deflected slip stream wing system with coflow jet flow control includes a wingbox, a flap, a compressor, and a propulsor. The wingbox has a root and a tip. The flap is moveably attached to the wingbox and has a leading edge, a trailing edge, an injection opening, a suction opening, and a channel. The injection opening is disposed between the leading edge and the suction opening. The suction opening is disposed between the injection opening and the trailing edge. The channel extends from the injection opening to the suction opening. The compressor is disposed within the channel. The propulsor is disposed on the wingbox between the root and the tip. The propulsor has an off state and an on state. When in the on state, the propulsor is aligned relative to the flap such that fluid accelerated by the propulsor contacts the flap.