Lockheed Martin Corporation

David E Carlile

Alex Siler

Joseph W Kinkopf

Wilfred L Wood

Andrew Yuhas

Timothy W Blunck

Thomas H Walsh

An airship recovery system is disclosed including a first cushion pad configured to create a suction force on an outer portion of the airship to capture the airship during landing. An arm is coupled to the first cushion pad and movable between at least two different vertical positions. In an embodiment the air is movable in multiple degrees of freedom. An actuator device is coupled to move the arm. A sensor device is incorporated to detect the location of the airship relative to the recovery system. A controller is utilized to receive signals from the sensor device regarding the location of the airship and output command signals to the actuator to move the arm and the first cushion pad toward a desired contact location on the airship.

Systems and methods for recovering an airship

A gimbaled truss assembly is disclosed including a frame rotatably mounted in a gimbal mount, and a truss rotatably mounted within the frame. The truss is configured to retain a propulsion system. The frame and the truss rotate independently of one another. A fastening system for mounting the propulsion system to the truss includes vibration isolators. A plurality of braces are coupled to the gimbal mount. The braces conform to the external surface of an air vehicle on which the assembly is to be attached.

Air vehicle propulsion system on gimbaled truss

Growing community of inventors

Quartz Hill, CA, United States of America

David E Carlile