Other

Bae Systems, Inc.

Roy A Haggard

Les H Richards

Roger L McCracken

A wing is presented that unfolds in a chordwise direction upon the launch of its aircraft at some velocity as it is projected into the air or launched from a moving craft at altitude. The wing is made up of two or more stiff, upper segments including the leading edge with foam used to complete the underneath wing shape. The foam is covered with a film of plastic or composite material to makeup the underneath shape of the wing as supported by the foam. The foam can be pressurized to enhance its final shape in support of the underneath film. The upper segments are joined by hinges using twisted, staked pins to provide force for the desired wing unfolding. Aerodynamic forces also enhance the unfolding motion. The wing can be used on a craft to be deployed at higher air speeds than any other type of folding wing of comparable stowing efficiency.

Unfolding wing for air-launched, low speed air vehicles

The capture of payloads carried by a descending parafoil is facilitated by the use of a trailing line from the parafoil that is snagged by a hook on a recovery line from a helicopter. The trailing line can be more easily snagged by the use of a drogue at its end to facilitate the extension of the trailing line. The trailing line can take the form of a loop extending from the parafoil canopy. The trailing line can actuate a slider to collapse the parafoil's suspension lines and canopy for easier handling by the capturing helicopter. Cutters can be installed on the lines holding the load to cut those lines when the recovery line pulls to hoist the load, thus separating the parafoil from the load as the load is lifted by the helicopter.

Parafoil mid-air retrieval

A control for a parachute trajectory is based on upward tipping of the canopy or by later righting a tipped position by upward movement of a different part of the canopy and then possibly tipping a different position upward, all a function of the needed parachute movement in some horizontal direction, and all achieved by paying out the length of selected risers around the canopy. All control physical action is based on paying-out various riser lengths. Only braking of the pay-out reels is involved. No shortening or reeling-in of lines and no power for such is involved in this light-weight control system.

Parachute trajectory control

Provided are systems for attaching one or more explosive device(s) to a flexible linear support, related methods and devices, and methods of using the charge assemblies thus produced.

Grenade attachment system

An inflatable wing containing high pressure inflated spars incorporates open cell foam filling the space within the wing. The foam inflates to a shape in tension which defines the surface contour of the wing. An inflated tube, similar to the spars, is used as a torque tube to actuate the control surface of the wing.

Inflated wing

The ground impact velocity of a parachutist is reduced by a single, length-shortening, retraction device mounted between the parachute riser webbings. The gas generator-activated retraction device is activated by a ground proximity device based on electromagnetic or ultrsonic radiation reflected from the ground. The retraction device is fully integrated, eliminating any need for wires or connectors. An alternative design for the ground sensor is a wire-dangled mechanical ground sensor. The system allows steering of the descending parachute.

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Nuevo, CA, United States of America

Roy A Haggard