A system for use with a tripod landing gear assembly of an aircraft may comprise: a tension strut assembly having a tension strut extending from an upper end to a lower end; a drag brace assembly having an upper brace and a lower brace, the upper brace pivotably coupled to the lower brace at a center point, the lower brace rotatably coupled to the lower end of the tension strut; and a jury linkage pivotally coupled to the drag brace assembly at the center point rotatably coupled to a middle portion of the tension strut, the middle portion between the upper end and the lower end

A retractable landing gear system for a vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) aircraft includes a rotational strut rotatably coupled to a fuselage of the VTOL aircraft. The rotational strut includes a first end, a second end, and an intermediate portion extending therebetween. A drag strut includes a first end portion pivotally connected to the rotational strut and a second end portion. A locking link includes a first end section pivotally connected relative to the fuselage, a second end section pivotally connected to the drag strut and an intermediate section having a hinge element. A retraction system is operatively connected to the rotational strut and the locking link. The retraction system is operable to pivot the drag strut about a first axis and rotate the rotational strut about a second axis that is distinct from the first axis.

A retractable landing gear system for a vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) aircraft includes a rotational strut rotatably coupled to a fuselage of the VTOL aircraft. The rotational strut includes a first end, a second end, and an intermediate portion extending therebetween. A drag strut includes a first end portion pivotally connected to the rotational strut and a second end portion. A locking link includes a first end section pivotally connected relative to the fuselage, a second end section pivotally connected to the drag strut and an intermediate section having a hinge element. A retraction system is operatively connected to the rotational strut and the locking link. The retraction system is operable to pivot the drag strut about a first axis and rotate the rotational strut about a second axis that is distinct from the first axis.

An aircraft subassembly comprises a fuselage structure, comprising a first side and a second side. The aircraft subassembly further comprises a main-landing-gear system, having a single pair of wheels. The main-landing-gear system additionally comprises a sponson, connected to and extending outward from the fuselage structure. The sponson comprises a central portion and a first main-landing-gear door that is moveable relative to the central portion between, inclusively, a closed position and an open position. The sponson further comprises a second main-landing-gear door that is moveable relative to the central portion between, inclusively, a closed position and an open position. The main-landing-gear system further comprises a first main-landing-gear assembly, connected to the first wheel and a second main-landing-gear assembly, connected to the second wheel.

An aircraft subassembly comprises a fuselage structure, comprising a first side and a second side. The aircraft subassembly further comprises a main-landing-gear system, having a single pair of wheels. The main-landing-gear system additionally comprises a sponson, connected to and extending outward from the fuselage structure. The sponson comprises a central portion and a first main-landing-gear door that is moveable relative to the central portion between, inclusively, a closed position and an open position. The sponson further comprises a second main-landing-gear door that is moveable relative to the central portion between, inclusively, a closed position and an open position. The main-landing-gear system further comprises a first main-landing-gear assembly, connected to the first wheel and a second main-landing-gear assembly, connected to the second wheel.

A landing gear including a shock strut assembly including an outer cylinder coupled to an airframe, a wheel movably coupled to the outer cylinder so as to reciprocate substantially along a longitudinal axis of the outer cylinder, and a shrink mechanism including a pivot arm pivotally coupled to the shock strut assembly, a drive member coupling the pivot arm to a landing gear retract mechanism, a driven member coupled to the pivot arm, a first shrink link member coupled to the pivot arm by the driven member, and a second shrink link member coupled to the first shrink link member and to the shock strut assembly. Rotation of the pivot arm by the drive member, effects a folding movement between the first shrink link member and the second shrink link member, and the folding movement effects at least a retraction of the wheel relative to the outer cylinder.

A landing gear including a shock strut assembly including an outer cylinder coupled to an airframe, a wheel movably coupled to the outer cylinder so as to reciprocate substantially along a longitudinal axis of the outer cylinder, and a shrink mechanism including a pivot arm pivotally coupled to the shock strut assembly, a drive member coupling the pivot arm to a landing gear retract mechanism, a driven member coupled to the pivot arm, a first shrink link member coupled to the pivot arm by the driven member, and a second shrink link member coupled to the first shrink link member and to the shock strut assembly. Rotation of the pivot arm by the drive member, effects a folding movement between the first shrink link member and the second shrink link member, and the folding movement effects at least a retraction of the wheel relative to the outer cylinder.

Aircraft landing gear forward trunnion support assemblies and related methods are described herein. An example aircraft wing disclosed herein includes a rear spar having a rear side and a front side opposite the rear side and a forward trunnion support assembly. The forward trunnion support assembly includes first and second vertical support fittings coupled to the rear side of the rear spar, and a trunnion housing with a bearing. The trunnion housing is coupled between the first and second vertical support fittings. The trunnion housing also includes first and second shoulders formed on a top side of the trunnion housing, each of the first and second shoulders having a respective open trough formed on a respective top surface thereof, thereby defining first and second cradles. A fuse pin is received within the troughs and has first and second ends extending through the first and second vertical support fittings respectively.

Aircraft landing gear forward trunnion support assemblies and related methods are described herein. An example aircraft wing disclosed herein includes a rear spar having a rear side and a front side opposite the rear side and a forward trunnion support assembly. The forward trunnion support assembly includes first and second vertical support fittings coupled to the rear side of the rear spar, and a trunnion housing with a bearing. The trunnion housing is coupled between the first and second vertical support fittings. The trunnion housing also includes first and second shoulders formed on a top side of the trunnion housing, each of the first and second shoulders having a respective open trough formed on a respective top surface thereof, thereby defining first and second cradles. A fuse pin is received within the troughs and has first and second ends extending through the first and second vertical support fittings respectively.

An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) includes a central body and a plurality of landing gears that are extendable from and movable relative to the central body. The plurality of landing gears are configured to transform between a flight configuration and a surface configuration. In the flight configuration, the landing gears are extending laterally away from the central body and not in contact with a surface below the central body. In the surface configuration, the landing gears are extending towards the surface below the central body. When the landing gears are in the surface configuration, the landing gears are configured to support a weight of the central body on the surface and transport the UAV over the surface by moving one or more of the landing gears relative to the surface.