A tailsitter aircraft includes an airframe having first and second wings with first and second pylons extending therebetween, a thrust array attached to the airframe, payloads and payload saddle assemblies coupled to the pylons each configured to secure a respective payload. The thrust array includes propulsion assemblies configured to transition the airframe between a forward flight orientation for wing-borne lift and a VTOL orientation for thrust-borne lift. Each payload saddle assembly includes a latch assembly and a retainer configured to secure the respective payload against a respective pylon. A latch assembly is movable between various positions including an open position and a closed position and is configured to secure the respective payload in the closed position and release the respective payload in the open position. Each latch assembly is configured to move from the closed position to the open position to release the respective payload in the VTOL orientation.

Methods, apparatus, systems and articles of manufacture are disclosed to methods and apparatus for gas turbine bending isolation. An example mechanical interface to couple a first section of a gas turbine to a second section of the gas turbine, the mechanical interface comprising a first mating surface disposed on the first section, and a second mating surface disposed on the second section and circumferentially around the first mating surface, wherein the coupling of the first mating surface to the second mating surface enables the first section to rotate about the mechanical interface during operation of the gas turbine.

Methods, apparatus, systems and articles of manufacture are disclosed to methods and apparatus for gas turbine bending isolation. An example mechanical interface to couple a first section of a gas turbine to a second section of the gas turbine, the mechanical interface comprising a first mating surface disposed on the first section, and a second mating surface disposed on the second section and circumferentially around the first mating surface, wherein the coupling of the first mating surface to the second mating surface enables the first section to rotate about the mechanical interface during operation of the gas turbine.

Systems and methods of aircraft thrust management are provided. For example, a propulsion system for an aircraft comprises a fuel cell assembly comprising a fuel cell, a turbomachine, and a controller comprising memory and one or more processors. The memory stores instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the propulsion system to perform operations including receiving data indicative of a propulsion system thrust discrepancy and modifying an output of the fuel cell in response to receiving data indicative of the propulsion system thrust discrepancy. Modifying the fuel cell output may include modifying output products, an electrical power output, or both of the fuel cell to balance the thrust provided by the propulsion system.

A component of an aircraft engine includes an annular flange disposed about a radially outer surface of the component. the annular flange includes an annular wall extending radially outwardly from the radially outer surface of the component. The annular wall includes radially-extending supports circumferentially spaced apart and extending radially between the radially outer surface of the component and a circumferentially uninterrupted radially outer rim of the annular wall. The annular wall includes one or more arcuate cutouts defined circumferentially between adjacent radially-extending supports and radially inwards of the radially outer rim of the annular wall. The radially-extending supports include fastener openings defined axially therethrough. A spigot extends axially from the radially outer rim of the annular wall and circumferentially about an entire circumference of the radially outer rim of the annular wall.

A component of an aircraft engine includes an annular flange disposed about a radially outer surface of the component. the annular flange includes an annular wall extending radially outwardly from the radially outer surface of the component. The annular wall includes radially-extending supports circumferentially spaced apart and extending radially between the radially outer surface of the component and a circumferentially uninterrupted radially outer rim of the annular wall. The annular wall includes one or more arcuate cutouts defined circumferentially between adjacent radially-extending supports and radially inwards of the radially outer rim of the annular wall. The radially-extending supports include fastener openings defined axially therethrough. A spigot extends axially from the radially outer rim of the annular wall and circumferentially about an entire circumference of the radially outer rim of the annular wall.

A propulsion assembly for an aircraft, comprising a pylon to be secured below a wing of the aircraft and having a front face and a lower face, and a turbomachine comprising, from upstream to downstream in a direction of a flow of air passing through the turbomachine during operation, a fan and an engine driving the fan. The fan is faired by a fan casing and the engine is faired, from upstream to downstream, by an intermediate casing and an engine casing, the intermediate casing having a hub and an outer ring extending the fan casing, the ring being spaced apart radially from the hub and secured to the latter by arms extending in an air duct. The propulsion assembly comprises a front engine attachment secured between the pylon front face and the hub and a rear engine attachment secured between the pylon lower face and the engine casing.

A propulsion assembly for an aircraft, comprising a pylon to be secured below a wing of the aircraft and having a front face and a lower face, and a turbomachine comprising, from upstream to downstream in a direction of a flow of air passing through the turbomachine during operation, a fan and an engine driving the fan. The fan is faired by a fan casing and the engine is faired, from upstream to downstream, by an intermediate casing and an engine casing, the intermediate casing having a hub and an outer ring extending the fan casing, the ring being spaced apart radially from the hub and secured to the latter by arms extending in an air duct. The propulsion assembly comprises a front engine attachment secured between the pylon front face and the hub and a rear engine attachment secured between the pylon lower face and the engine casing.

A load-bearing structure is configured to be mounted on an engine core of a turbofan engine. The load-bearing structure comprises two longitudinal beams and a transverse connection connecting them. Each of the longitudinal beams comprises a forward mounting interface and a rear mounting interface for mounting the structure on the engine core while allowing at least the longitudinal travel of the engine core. Each longitudinal beam also comprises a lateral suspension point for transmitting longitudinal and vertical forces between the load-bearing structure and a suspension structure. The load-bearing structure further comprises a transverse connection comprising a central suspension point for transmitting lateral and vertical forces between the load-bearing structure and the suspension structure.

A load-bearing structure is configured to be mounted on an engine core of a turbofan engine. The load-bearing structure comprises two longitudinal beams and a transverse connection connecting them. Each of the longitudinal beams comprises a forward mounting interface and a rear mounting interface for mounting the structure on the engine core while allowing at least the longitudinal travel of the engine core. Each longitudinal beam also comprises a lateral suspension point for transmitting longitudinal and vertical forces between the load-bearing structure and a suspension structure. The load-bearing structure further comprises a transverse connection comprising a central suspension point for transmitting lateral and vertical forces between the load-bearing structure and the suspension structure.