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.

Certain aspects relate to a blended wing body aircraft with a fuel cell and methods of use. An exemplary aircraft includes a blended wing body, at least a propulsor mechanically affixed to the aircraft and configured to propel the aircraft, at least a first fuel store configured to store a first fuel, and at least a fuel cell configured to combine the first fuel with oxygen to produce electricity.

Certain aspects relate to a blended wing body aircraft with a fuel cell and methods of use. An exemplary aircraft includes a blended wing body, at least a propulsor mechanically affixed to the aircraft and configured to propel the aircraft, at least a first fuel store configured to store a first fuel, and at least a fuel cell configured to combine the first fuel with oxygen to produce electricity.

A cryogenic fluid pressure vessel for an aircraft, having: a first wall layer, which contains carbon fiber-reinforced plastic, having an inner contact surface for the contact with a pressurized cryogenic fluid to be accommodated inside the cryogenic fluid pressure vessel; a second wall layer, which is arranged on an outer surface of the first wall layer and has a thermal barrier; a closable inlet/outlet opening for cryogenic fluid, which extends through the first and the second wall layer; and a structural insert integrated in the first and the second wall layer, which has a fastening connecting piece located on the outside of the cryogenic fluid pressure vessel for mechanically coupling the cryogenic fluid pressure vessel with external structures; wherein the cryogenic fluid pressure vessel forms an essentially cylindrical main body. Furthermore, the present invention provides an aircraft having such a cryogenic fluid pressure vessel.

A cryogenic fluid pressure vessel for an aircraft, having: a first wall layer, which contains carbon fiber-reinforced plastic, having an inner contact surface for the contact with a pressurized cryogenic fluid to be accommodated inside the cryogenic fluid pressure vessel; a second wall layer, which is arranged on an outer surface of the first wall layer and has a thermal barrier; a closable inlet/outlet opening for cryogenic fluid, which extends through the first and the second wall layer; and a structural insert integrated in the first and the second wall layer, which has a fastening connecting piece located on the outside of the cryogenic fluid pressure vessel for mechanically coupling the cryogenic fluid pressure vessel with external structures; wherein the cryogenic fluid pressure vessel forms an essentially cylindrical main body. Furthermore, the present invention provides an aircraft having such a cryogenic fluid pressure vessel.

An aircraft comprising a fuselage, first and second wings positioned on either side of the fuselage, wherein each wing includes an inner part connected to the fuselage and an outer part continuing the inner part, the end of each inner part connected to the fuselage having a height greater than half the height of the fuselage and extending over a length greater than or equal to half of a distance separating the nose and the tail of the fuselage.

An aircraft comprising a fuselage, first and second wings positioned on either side of the fuselage, wherein each wing includes an inner part connected to the fuselage and an outer part continuing the inner part, the end of each inner part connected to the fuselage having a height greater than half the height of the fuselage and extending over a length greater than or equal to half of a distance separating the nose and the tail of the fuselage.

Disclosed is a device and method to load stores on an aircraft. The device may include a controller configured to: assign one or more stores to the aircraft; and control at least one actuator to: control a position of the aircraft; load the one or more stores onto one or more corresponding lift portions; position the one or more stores relative to a position of the aircraft determined in accordance with sensor information from at least one sensor; and secure the one or more stores to the aircraft.

Disclosed is a device and method to load stores on an aircraft. The device may include a controller configured to: assign one or more stores to the aircraft; and control at least one actuator to: control a position of the aircraft; load the one or more stores onto one or more corresponding lift portions; position the one or more stores relative to a position of the aircraft determined in accordance with sensor information from at least one sensor; and secure the one or more stores to the aircraft.

An aircraft having a high efficiency forward flight mode. The aircraft includes an airframe having at least one wing. A distributed propulsion system is attached to the airframe and includes a first plurality of propulsion assemblies and a second plurality of propulsion assemblies. A flight control system is operably associated with the distributed propulsion system and is operable to independently control each of the propulsion assemblies. The aircraft is configured for thrust-borne lift in a vertical takeoff and landing flight mode and wing-borne lift in the forward flight mode. In the vertical takeoff and landing flight mode, each of the propulsion assemblies is configured to generate vertical thrust. In the forward flight mode, the propulsion assemblies of the first plurality of propulsion assemblies are configured to generate forward thrust and the propulsion assemblies of the second plurality of propulsion assemblies are configured to shut down.