AIRCRAFT TOW SYSTEM
Disclosed is an unmanned, autonomous, cargo transport system comprising at least one towed aircraft coupled to a tractor aircraft for inflight towing.
1 . A cargo transport system comprising:
an engine powered tractor aircraft;
at least one unmanned autonomous towed aircraft, which is connected to the tractor aircraft for inflight towing by the tractor aircraft;
an autopilot system in the towed aircraft, wherein the autopilot system is configured to autonomously control taxing, takeoff, flight, and landing of the towed aircraft;
a sensor system configured to sense flight parameters including relative locations of the tractor aircraft and the towed aircraft and to communicate the sensed flight parameters to the autopilot system of the towed aircraft; and
at least one towing element comprising at least one cable coupled between the towed aircraft and the tractor aircraft.
2 . The cargo transport system of claim 1 , wherein a length of the cable is adjustable.
3 . The cargo transport system of claim 2 , wherein the length of the cable is shortened for taxiing, lengthened for landing, and varied inflight to improve flight performance.
4 . The cargo transport system of claim 1 , wherein the towing element includes a cable sensor configured to measure magnitude and/or direction of tension in the in the cable.
5 . The cargo transport system of claim 1 , wherein the autopilot system is configured to control a speed of the tractor aircraft to improve flight performance.
6 . The cargo transport system of claim 1 , wherein the autopilot system is configured to adjust a position of the towed aircraft with respect to the tractor aircraft for positive wake energy gain from a turbulence vortex produced by the tractor aircraft and/or for reduction of drag.
7 . The cargo transport system of claim 1 , wherein the autopilot system is further configured to control steering, and inflight maneuvering of the towed aircraft.
8 . The cargo transport system of claim 7 , wherein inflight maneuvering via autopilot control of the towed aircraft is based on inflight parameters of the tractor aircraft and/or the towed aircraft.
9 . The cargo transport system of claim 1 , wherein the towed aircraft carries cargo, an energy storage element, and/or emergency supplies.
10 . The cargo transport system of claim 9 , wherein the towed aircraft carries an energy storage element which comprises fuel, hydrogen, and/or a battery.
11 . The cargo transport system of claim 1 , wherein the towed aircraft is configured to power the tractor aircraft in flight.
12 . The cargo transport system of claim 1 , wherein the cargo transport system including at a first towed aircraft and a second towed aircraft coupled to the first towed aircraft or to the tractor aircraft.
13 . The cargo transport system of claim 1 , wherein the towed aircraft is configured to disconnect from the tractor aircraft inflight.
14 . The cargo transport system of claim 13 , wherein the towed aircraft is further configured to land autonomously separated from the tractor aircraft.
15 . The cargo transport system of claim 1 , wherein the towed aircraft includes landing gear wheels driven by an engine or motor, the landing gear wheels configured to accelerate with the tractor aircraft during takeoff and/or for taxiing.
16 . The cargo transport system of claim 1 , further comprising one or more ram air turbine(s) within the towed aircraft for generating electric power for inflight use.
17 . The cargo transport system of claim 16 , wherein the towing element enables energy flow as liquid fuel and/or electricity from the towed aircraft to the tractor aircraft.
18 . An in-flight switch method for a towed aircraft chain, comprising:
disconnecting a first towed aircraft from a first tractor aircraft, and connecting the first towed aircraft to a second tractor aircraft, wherein disconnecting and connecting of the first towed aircraft are performed in flight.
19 . The method of claim 18 , wherein the first tractor aircraft includes at least one second towed aircraft connected to the first tractor aircraft, wherein the first towed aircraft is coupled to either the first tractor aircraft or to the second towed aircraft prior to disconnecting the first towed aircraft from the first tractor aircraft.
20 . The method of claim 18 , wherein the second tractor aircraft includes at least one second towed aircraft coupled to the second tractor aircraft, wherein the first towed aircraft is coupled to either the second tractor aircraft or to the second towed aircraft after connecting the first towed aircraft to the second tractor aircraft.