In an example, a drop tank for an aerial vehicle includes a body having an internal fuel reservoir configured to store fuel. The drop tank also includes an outlet coupled to the internal fuel reservoir for supplying the fuel from the internal fuel reservoir to a propulsion system of the aerial vehicle. Additionally, the drop tank includes a plurality of flight control surfaces extending outwardly from the body. The flight control surfaces are actuatable to adjust a flight attitude of the drop tank. The drop tank further includes a flight control system including a processor and configured to actuate the plurality of flight control surfaces to fly the drop tank to a target location when the drop tank is jettisoned from the aerial vehicle.

An adapter is disclosed for use with an aircraft including wingtip stations defining mounting surfaces. The adapter is configured and dimensioned for connection to the wingtip stations on either wing of the aircraft to facilitate the connection of a weapons rack to the aircraft. The adapter includes a backing plate, and a body connected to the backing plate that is configured and dimensioned to support the weapons rack. The backing plate is configured and dimensioned in correspondence with the mounting surfaces defined by the wingtip stations. The body includes a base extending outwardly from the backing plate along a first axis, and a support member extending outwardly from the base along a second axis. In one particular embodiment of the adapter, the first and second axes define an angle of 45 therebetween.

A method of operating an aircraft includes, prior to an in-flight refueling operation, operating the aircraft using fuel from a first fuel tank connected to a fuel delivery system. Subsequently, the in-flight refueling operation is performed over a refueling area while operating the aircraft from another fuel tank, including (1) disconnecting the first fuel tank from the fuel delivery system, (2) jettisoning the first fuel tank, and (3) taking on a replacement fuel tank by (a) capturing the replacement fuel tank from the refueling area and (b) bringing the captured replacement fuel tank onboard the aircraft. The replacement fuel tank is then connected to the fuel delivery system and the aircraft is operated using fuel from the replacement fuel tank.

A method of operating an aircraft includes, prior to an in-flight refueling operation, operating the aircraft using fuel from a first fuel tank connected to a fuel delivery system. Subsequently, the in-flight refueling operation is performed over a refueling area while operating the aircraft from another fuel tank, including (1) disconnecting the first fuel tank from the fuel delivery system, (2) jettisoning the first fuel tank, and (3) taking on a replacement fuel tank by (a) capturing the replacement fuel tank from the refueling area and (b) bringing the captured replacement fuel tank onboard the aircraft. The replacement fuel tank is then connected to the fuel delivery system and the aircraft is operated using fuel from the replacement fuel tank.

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.

The presently disclosed subject matter is directed to devices for carrying and releasing stores from a vehicle, such as ejector racks for carrying and releasing a store with respect to an air vehicle.

The presently disclosed subject matter is directed to devices for carrying and releasing stores from a vehicle, such as ejector racks for carrying and releasing a store with respect to an air vehicle.

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.

An aft pivot assembly includes a height adjustment mechanism integrated into a device for mounting a payload, to enable release of the payload. The aft pivot assembly releasably secures an aft portion of the payload, such a pod, store, ordinance, or fuel tank. The aft pivot assembly includes a shaft operable with the mount device and a release component, the shaft being rotatable about multiple shaft axes relative to the mount device so as to either minimize or eliminate carriage loads about the aft portion, while reacting jettison loads during a jettison event or phase. The rotation of the shaft about its shaft axes can further be limited via a limit device. As the payload transitions from a carriage phase to a jettison phase, the shaft moves in multiple degrees of freedom and in multiple axes relative to the mount device.

An actuator includes a brushless DC motor, an output device, a reduction system coupled between the brushless DC motor and the output device, and a contactless position sensor configured to sense a position of the output device.