Patent ID: 11932375
Assignee: ISRAEL AEROSPACE INDUSTRIES LTD.
Field: Transport (Mechanical engineering)
Classification: CPC B  A  Y | IPC A  B

Claim 19:
20. A method for converting a datum aircraft into an enhanced cargo capacity aircraft, comprising:
(a) providing the datum aircraft, wherein the datum aircraft comprises at least a fuselage having a dorsal fuselage part,
(b) providing a cargo module configured for providing enhanced cargo capacity to the datum aircraft, the cargo module comprising an external aerodynamic fairing defining an internal cargo volume, and configured for being conformally affixed in overlying relationship with respect to the dorsal fuselage part, the cargo module comprising a cargo handling floor and at least one access door, and a cargo handling system configured for transporting and securing at least one cargo unit within said cargo volume, wherein said cargo unit comprises a standard unit load device (ULD);
(c) affixed the cargo module to the datum aircraft, thereby converting the datum aircraft to the enhanced cargo capacity aircraft;
wherein the datum aircraft is designed for aerodynamic flight capability absent said cargo module; and
wherein the enhanced cargo capacity aircraft is capable of aerodynamic flight.