Northrop Grumman Systems Corporation

Thomas E Keavney

John C Rufino

Scott R Sorbel

Robert E Bauer

Owen Cupp

Peter J Widmann

An apparatus for selectively increasing a wing area of an aircraft having a fuselage with an interior space includes an inflatable wing moveable between a stowed condition located in the interior space and a deployed condition located outside the interior space. The wing includes at least one inflatable spar. The inflatable spar is operatively coupled to a source of pressurized inflation fluid for selective inflation as the wing moves into the deployed condition. A plurality of reels is secured to the aircraft. A plurality of cables connects the wing to the reels. At least one reel is operable to unwind a selected cable to allow the wing to partially inflate to the deployed condition by ram air generated by movement of the aircraft as the inflatable spar is being inflated by the pressurized inflation fluid. A method for selectively increasing a wing area of an aircraft is also provided.

Deployable wing for an aircraft

An apparatus for selectively increasing a wing area of an aircraft having a fuselage with an interior space includes an inflatable wing moveable between a stowed condition located in the interior space and a deployed condition located outside the interior space. A plurality of reels is secured to the aircraft. A plurality of suspension lines connects the wing to the reels. At least one reel is operable to unwind a corresponding suspension line to allow the wing to inflate to the deployed condition exclusively by ram air generated by movement of the aircraft. A method of use for a deployable wing is also provided.

Systems and methods are provided for redirecting electromagnetic radiation around an object. A first assembly, including a first interior wall and a first exterior wall enclosing a propellant gas, substantially encloses the object. A first control system is configured to energize the propellant gas to provide a first volume of plasma and control an electron number density of the first volume of plasma. The electron number density of the first volume of plasma is selected to minimize reflection of the electromagnetic radiation from the first exterior wall. A second assembly includes a second interior wall and a second exterior wall enclosing a propellant gas and is substantially concentric with the first assembly and substantially encloses the object. A second control system is configured to energize the propellant gas to provide a second volume of plasma and control an electron number density of the second volume of plasma.

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Lakewood, CA, United States of America

Thomas E Keavney