The invention relates to a multipurpose airship and, more particularly, to a hybrid dirigible. The airship comprises a body (2) having a parallelepiped shape and docking means (8) comprising four rods connected by a frame and designed to be extractable from the body (2), the ends of these rods being provided each with at least one vacuum cup for adhering to a substantially vertical surface of a building. The docking means (8) are provided with grips adapted to engage with the docking means (8) of another airship of the same design. The invention also relates to a set of airships including at least two said airships. The proposed airship does not require a lot of space for its take-off and provides fast and secure evacuation of people from tower buildings. In addition, the invention provides the possibility of varying the airship payload directly in flight depending of specific needs.

The invention relates to a multipurpose airship and, more particularly, to a hybrid dirigible. The airship comprises a body (2) having a parallelepiped shape and docking means (8) comprising four rods connected by a frame and designed to be extractable from the body (2), the ends of these rods being provided each with at least one vacuum cup for adhering to a substantially vertical surface of a building. The docking means (8) are provided with grips adapted to engage with the docking means (8) of another airship of the same design. The invention also relates to a set of airships including at least two said airships. The proposed airship does not require a lot of space for its take-off and provides fast and secure evacuation of people from tower buildings. In addition, the invention provides the possibility of varying the airship payload directly in flight depending of specific needs.

The invention relates to the field of aviation, and specifically to aircraft structures. The present hybrid aircraft comprises an aerostat with a rigid frame, ballonets with helium, a suspension system, and a bearing platform with a cargo/passenger cabin. The cabin includes controls, engines, electrical equipment and measurement devices. The aerostat is composed of two envelopes connected by a cylindrical hinge and provided with affixing elements, controlling the rotation of which allows for changing and securing the aerostat in the form of a wing or in the form of an A-shape with an opened fairing. The suspension system includes rigid and flexible connections and is capable of being transformed and secured. The stationing and securing of the device in a stable position can be carried out on a sloped solid ground surface, on a water surface, or on a vertical structure.

An example can include a pod detachably coupled to a hull. At least one thrust generator can be fixed to the pod. A power source can be mounted to the pod and slideable fore and aft. A power source actuator can be coupled between the pod and the power source to translate the location of the power source with respect to the pod. A sensor can be coupled to the pod to detect a pitch of the hull and provide a pitch signal. A controller can be coupled to one or more of the power source, the power source actuator, the first and second thrust generators and the sensor. The controller can maintain a pitch of the hull by translating the power source within the pod in association with the pitch signal.

An example can include a pod detachably coupled to a hull. At least one thrust generator can be fixed to the pod. A power source can be mounted to the pod and slideable fore and aft. A power source actuator can be coupled between the pod and the power source to translate the location of the power source with respect to the pod. A sensor can be coupled to the pod to detect a pitch of the hull and provide a pitch signal. A controller can be coupled to one or more of the power source, the power source actuator, the first and second thrust generators and the sensor. The controller can maintain a pitch of the hull by translating the power source within the pod in association with the pitch signal.

A drone delivery method is provided. The present invention includes an aircraft having a cargo area. The cargo area may include at least one package and at least one unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). The aircraft flies to a location. The aircraft then releases the UAV from the cargo area while the aircraft is flying or hovering. The package is secured to the UAV prior to releasing the UAV from the cargo area. The UAV is then directed to a delivery destination. Once the UAV has reached the delivery destination, the package is released for delivery. Once the package has been released, the UAV may be directed back to the cargo area within the aircraft.

A drone delivery method is provided. The present invention includes an aircraft having a cargo area. The cargo area may include at least one package and at least one unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). The aircraft flies to a location. The aircraft then releases the UAV from the cargo area while the aircraft is flying or hovering. The package is secured to the UAV prior to releasing the UAV from the cargo area. The UAV is then directed to a delivery destination. Once the UAV has reached the delivery destination, the package is released for delivery. Once the package has been released, the UAV may be directed back to the cargo area within the aircraft.

A hybrid airship-aerostat includes a hull, a motor, a fin, a controller, and a bridle system. The motor is coupled to the hull and is configured to rotate between a thrust configuration and a lift configuration. The motor is configured to generate a lift force, a thrust force, or a combination thereof. The fin is coupled to a tail of the hull and is configured to provide directional control of the hull. The controller is configured to operate the motor and the fin to pilot the hull. The bridle system is configured to removably couple to a first end of a tether.

A hybrid airship-aerostat includes a hull, a motor, a fin, a controller, and a bridle system. The motor is coupled to the hull and is configured to rotate between a thrust configuration and a lift configuration. The motor is configured to generate a lift force, a thrust force, or a combination thereof. The fin is coupled to a tail of the hull and is configured to provide directional control of the hull. The controller is configured to operate the motor and the fin to pilot the hull. The bridle system is configured to removably couple to a first end of a tether.

A superconductive, electromagnetic launch system is implemented on a stratospheric airship. The launcher includes a plurality of twisted cylinders, wherein each of the plurality of cylinders has an infinity-type shape or other shape including one or two lobes. The lobes of the plurality of cylinders are aligned, and adjacent cylinders are connected by a bridge to form one continuous guideway. Superconducting coils are positioned external to a bore in the guideway and generate a magnetic field or flux within the bore that levitates and propels the vessel. A cooling system cools the superconducting coils to a transition temperature at which one or more superconducting materials in the plurality of coils transition to a superconducting state. The vessel is accelerated in the guideway and launched from a stratospheric altitude of the airship at a velocity necessary to reach space.