A tiltrotor aircraft has a vertical takeoff and landing flight mode and a forward flight mode. The aircraft includes an airframe having a wing with oppositely disposed wing tips. Tip booms respectively extend longitudinally from the wing tips. Forward rotors are coupled to the forward ends of the tip booms and aft rotors are coupled to the aft ends of the tip booms. The forward rotors are reversibly tiltable between a vertical lift orientation, wherein the forward rotors are above the tip booms, and a forward thrust orientation, wherein the forward rotors are forward of the tip booms. The aft rotors are reversibly tiltable between a vertical lift orientation, wherein the aft rotors are below the tip booms, and a forward thrust orientation, wherein the aft rotors are aft of the tip booms. One of a plurality of payload modules is interchangeable coupled to the airframe, wherein each payload module has a respective function.

In some embodiment, an aircraft includes a flying frame having an airframe, a distributed propulsion system attached to the airframe, the distributed propulsion system including a plurality of propulsion assemblies and a flight control system operably associated with the distributed propulsion system. The flying frame has a vertical takeoff and landing mode and a forward flight mode. The flight control system is operable to independently control the propulsion assemblies. The flight control system is also operable to detect faults in individual propulsion assemblies and to perform corrective action responsive to detected faults at a distributed propulsion system level.

In some embodiment, an aircraft includes a flying frame having an airframe, a distributed propulsion system attached to the airframe, the distributed propulsion system including a plurality of propulsion assemblies and a flight control system operably associated with the distributed propulsion system. The flying frame has a vertical takeoff and landing mode and a forward flight mode. The flight control system is operable to independently control the propulsion assemblies. The flight control system is also operable to detect faults in individual propulsion assemblies and to perform corrective action responsive to detected faults at a distributed propulsion system level.

A separable aircraft cabin module is provided with parachutes that are dynamically and independently reefed in order to safely deliver the cabin module, and its occupants from a separation from a main aircraft body at altitude and speed to a landing. The arrangement includes a rear parachute and two front parachutes which particularly handle the cylindrical shape of the cabin module through the various stages after separation from the main aircraft body.

A separable aircraft cabin module is provided with parachutes that are dynamically and independently reefed in order to safely deliver the cabin module, and its occupants from a separation from a main aircraft body at altitude and speed to a landing. The arrangement includes a rear parachute and two front parachutes which particularly handle the cylindrical shape of the cabin module through the various stages after separation from the main aircraft body.

In some embodiment, an aircraft includes an airframe, a propulsion system attached to the airframe and a flight control system operably associated with the propulsion system. A pod assembly is selectively attachable to the flying frame. The flying frame has a vertical takeoff and landing mode and a forward flight mode. The flying frame has a manned flight mode and an unmanned flight mode.

In some embodiments, an aircraft includes a flying frame having an airframe with first and second wing members having a plurality of pylons extending therebetween, a distributed propulsion system including a plurality of propulsion assemblies securably attached to the airframe and a flight control system operably associated with the distributed propulsion system. The flying frame has a vertical takeoff and landing mode with the wing members disposed in generally the same horizontal plane and a forward flight mode with the wing members disposed in generally the same vertical plane. The flight control system is operable to command the propulsion assemblies responsive to at least one of remote flight control, autonomous flight control and combinations thereof.

In some embodiments, an aircraft includes a flying frame having an airframe, a distributed propulsion system attached to the airframe, a flight control system operably associated with the distributed propulsion system and a pod assembly selectively attachable to the flying frame. The distributed propulsion system includes a plurality of propulsion assemblies that are independently controlled by the flight control system, thereby enabling the flying frame to have a vertical takeoff and landing mode and a forward flight mode.

Apparatus provides a lifesaving, cocoon and includes a seat arranged to be mounted in a passenger transportation and a pod unit with rounded, semi-rigid walls surrounding and securely enclosing a human body on the seat. The pod unit has an outer skin of a flexible material supported on a generally helical wire interior frame which is coiled into a generally oval exterior shape with upper and lower ends which are narrower than a central area. The outer skin of the pod unit can be made of spider silk or any flexible lightweight material. The helical wire frame upon which the skin is stretched over is made of a strong and flexible material which allows the frame to flex to different locations with the skin carried thereby and remaining stretched thereon. The pod can include transport specific additions such as a parachute and/or flotation and may be separable from the vehicle in the event of a collision.

Apparatus provides a lifesaving, cocoon and includes a seat arranged to be mounted in a passenger transportation and a pod unit with rounded, semi-rigid walls surrounding and securely enclosing a human body on the seat. The pod unit has an outer skin of a flexible material supported on a generally helical wire interior frame which is coiled into a generally oval exterior shape with upper and lower ends which are narrower than a central area. The outer skin of the pod unit can be made of spider silk or any flexible lightweight material. The helical wire frame upon which the skin is stretched over is made of a strong and flexible material which allows the frame to flex to different locations with the skin carried thereby and remaining stretched thereon. The pod can include transport specific additions such as a parachute and/or flotation and may be separable from the vehicle in the event of a collision.