Patent ID: 9567075
Date: 2017-02-14
CPC Classifications: B64C

Claim:
1. A multi-engine aircraft convertible from a horizontal flight mode to a vertical flight mode, the aircraft comprising: an aircraft fuselage defining a fuselage longitudinal axis; first and second wings attached to the fuselage, each wing defining first and second wing segments, each wing segment being separately attached to the fuselage, the first wing segments of each wing being translatable about the fuselage longitudinal axis, independent of any translation of the second wing segments about the fuselage longitudinal axis, from a horizontal flight mode position adjacent the second wing segments, wherein the first and second wing segments collectively form the first and second wings, to a vertical flight mode wherein the first wing segments are substantially offset from the second wing segments, and the first and second wing segments do not collectively form the first and second wings; an aircraft propulsion unit attached to each of the first and second wing segments, the propulsion units attached to the first wing segment being disposed in substantial axial aliment when the aircraft operates in a horizontal mode, and being substantially offset when the aircraft operates in a vertical mode; and a sensor unit connected to a forward portion of the fuselage, the sensor unit defining a field of view substantially along the fuselage center axis.