Aircraft power module and ground handling system, method and apparatus

A power module system of an aircraft having a fuselage wherein the fuselage includes an aircraft drive system, the power module system comprising:

• a) a first power module comprising a first port power module and a first starboard power module, the first port power module and the first starboard power module being selectably attachable to and detachable from the fuselage, the first power module defining a first power-production apparatus, the first power production apparatus having a configuration to generate or to store a first power for the aircraft using a first technology when the first port power module and the first starboard power module are attached to the fuselage, the first power being adequate to aerodynamically support the aircraft in flight or to provide motive power to the aircraft using the aircraft drive system when the aircraft is flying, the first power module having a configuration to convey the first power to the aircraft drive system when the first power module is attached to the fuselage;
• b) a second power module comprising a second port power module and a second starboard power module, the second power module being selectably attachable to and detachable from the fuselage, the second power module defining a second power production apparatus, the second power production apparatus having a configuration to generate or to store a second power using a second technology when the second power module is attached to the fuselage, the second technology being different from the first technology, the second power being adequate to aerodynamically support the aircraft in flight or to provide motive power to the aircraft using the aircraft drive system when the aircraft is flying, the second power module have a configuration to convey the second power to the aircraft drive system when the second power module is attached to the fuselage, the second power module being interchangeable with the first power module;
• c) a longitudinal axis defined by the fuselage, the fuselage further defining a port opening located on a port side of the fuselage and a starboard opening on a starboard side of the fuselage, the port opening and the starboard opening each having a top side and a bottom side, the fuselage having a configuration to receive and retain the first port power module or the second port power module in the port opening, the aircraft having a configuration to receive and retain the first starboard power module or the second starboard power module in the starboard opening, the configuration of the aircraft to receive and retain the first port power module or the second port power module and the first starboard power module or the second starboard power module comprising:
• d) a central keel, the central keel being elongated and oriented generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of the fuselage and located along the bottom side of the port opening and the starboard opening, the central keel defining a port forward keel connection point, a port aft keel connection point, a starboard forward keel connection point, and a starboard aft keel connection point;
• e) a port structural beam, the port structural beam being generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of the fuselage and disposed at the top side of the port opening, the port structural beam defining a port forward beam connection point and a port aft beam connection point;
• f) a starboard structural beam, the starboard structural beam being generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of the fuselage and disposed at the top side of the starboard opening, the starboard structural beam defining a starboard forward beam connection point and a starboard aft beam connection point;
• g) each of the first power module and the second power module defining a plurality of connectors, the plurality of connectors being configured to selectably engage the port forward keel connection point, the port aft keel connection point, the starboard forward keel connection point, the starboard aft keel connection point, the port forward beam connection point, the port aft beam connection point, the starboard forward beam connection point, and the starboard aft beam connection point to selectably secure the first power module or the second power module to the fuselage.