公开(公告)号：US20180222583A1

公开(公告)日：2018-08-09

申请号：US15890506

申请日：2018-02-07

Applicant: Aurora Flight Sciences Corporation

Inventor： Robert W. Parks ,  Riley C. Griffin ,  Christopher Courtin ,  Amanda Kaufman ,  Thomas Clancy

IPC: B64C39/02 ,  B64C19/00

CPC classification number: B64C39/024 ,  B64C19/00 ,  B64C37/02 ,  B64C2201/021 ,  B64C2201/12 ,  B64C2201/141 ,  B64D5/00

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a booster aircraft system having a host aircraft and one or more booster UAVs coupled thereto. When necessary, such as during takeoff and climb of the host aircraft, the booster UAVs operate to boost the thrust of the host aircraft. The booster UAVs are configured to detach from the host aircraft when no longer needed (e.g., at cruising altitude/speed), thus removing their weight from the host aircraft. Each booster UAV includes wings, one or more propulsors, a control system, and landing gear, which enable the booster UAV to return autonomously to a predetermined location once detached from the host aircraft to be refueled and reused.