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US 2018/0002013 A1Published application
Aircraft having Manned and Unmanned Flight Modes
AssigneeBell Helicopter Textron Inc.
InventorsJohn Richard McCullough, Paul K. Oldroyd
Life of this patent
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Abstract
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.
Claims20
An aircraft comprising:
- a flying frame including an airframe, a propulsion system attached to the airframe and a flight control system operably associated with the propulsion system;
- and
- a pod assembly selectively attachable to the flying frame,
- wherein, the flying frame has a vertical takeoff and landing mode and a forward flight mode;
- and
- wherein, the flying frame has a manned flight mode and an unmanned flight mode.
3 more elements
A method of operating an aircraft comprising:
- providing a flying frame including an airframe, a propulsion system attached to the airframe and a flight control system operably associated with the propulsion system;
- selectively attaching the flying frame to a pod assembly;
- lifting the pod assembly into the air in a vertical takeoff and landing mode of the aircraft;
- transitioning the aircraft between the vertical takeoff and landing mode and a forward flight mode;
- transporting the pod assembly in the forward flight mode of the aircraft;
- performing the lifting, transitioning and transporting in a manned flight mode;
- and
- performing the lifting, transitioning and transporting in an unmanned flight mode.
5 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.