Abstract:
The modular aircraft system includes a single fuselage having a permanently installed empennage and plural sets of wing modules and engine modules, with each wing and engine module optimized for different flight conditions and missions. The fuselage and each of the modules are configured for rapid removal and installation of the modules to minimize downtime for the aircraft. Short wings having relatively low aspect ratio are provided for relatively high speed flight when great endurance and/or weight carrying capacity are not of great concern. Long wings having high aspect ratio are provided for longer range and endurance flights where speed is not absolutely vital. A medium span wing module is also provided. Turboprop, single turbojet, and dual turbojet engine modules are provided for installation depending upon mission requirements for any given flight. The aircraft is primarily adapted for use as an autonomously operated or remotely operated unmanned aerial vehicle.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates generally to the field of aviation, and particularly to a modular aircraft having interchangeable wing and powerplant modules. The aircraft is particularly adapted as a remotely or autonomously controlled unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     Virtually all aircraft are designed and engineered to optimize their configurations for specific mission requirements. For example, a long range reconnaissance aircraft requires significantly more fuel than would a short range fighter or interceptor aircraft, while speed may not be critical for a reconnaissance aircraft operating at extreme altitudes. This necessitates different wing configurations and may necessitate different engine configurations as well, depending upon the speed, altitude, and duration desired for each mission. 
     Accordingly, aircraft intended for fighter interceptor missions are generally configured with relatively short wings to minimize frontal aerodynamic drag for maximum speed, while also being equipped with a relatively powerful engine(s). Such aircraft might also be used for reconnaissance, but only for shorter range missions due to the fuel consumption and relatively small onboard fuel capacity provided by the interior volume of the relatively small wings. On the other hand, a long range reconnaissance aircraft is generally provided with wings of relatively large span and high aspect ratio to minimize induced drag and to maximize range. This is also true of other aircraft intended for long range missions or operations. 
     As a result, aircraft manufacturers have developed a wide array of aircraft having major differences in their configurations in order to optimize those configurations for their intended missions or operations. Examples of such may be seen in the products of a single manufacturer, e.g., Lockheed-Martin. The Lockheed Aircraft Company (before merger with Martin) manufactured the U-2, a long range, high altitude reconnaissance aircraft with extremely high aspect ratio wings and powered by a single turbojet engine. More recently, Lockheed merged with the Martin Aircraft Company to become Lockheed-Martin, which company (in partnership with other aerospace companies) produces the F-35 fighter, a short wing twin turbojet aircraft of relatively limited range and endurance. 
     The two aircraft types noted above were designed and manufactured as completely separate and distinct airframes powered by turbojet engines having quite different characteristics. Thus, in order to have aircraft capable of fulfilling both the fighter-interceptor role and the long range reconnaissance role, it was necessary for the military to purchase two completely different aircraft. 
     Other attempts have been made to provide multirole aircraft, e.g., the General Dynamics F-111 and the Grumman F-14 with their “swing wing” variably adjustable wing sweepback. The wings on these aircraft pivoted rearward to reduce the effective aspect ratio and frontal area for high speed flight, while pivoting forward to reduce the sweep angle and stall speed for takeoff, landing, and subsonic flight. However, the wings remained permanently attached to the aircraft in each aircraft type. They were not readily removable, and no other wing configurations were provided to adapt the aircraft for different missions or operations. Moreover, each aircraft was equipped with only a single engine configuration that was essentially permanently installed, excepting provision for removal for maintenance. 
     A number of retrofit devices and attachments have been developed for addition to existing aircraft. For example, winglets for attachment to the wingtips of an aircraft have been developed, to reduce the losses or spillage of air around the wingtips. However, these various attachments and retrofit devices are generally not modular in nature, and cannot be readily detached and/or reattached to different aircraft structures. The subject aircraft structures would require redesign in order to have multi-operational capability. 
     Thus, a modular aircraft solving the aforementioned problems is desired. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The modular aircraft system essentially includes a single fuselage having a permanently attached empennage, with different wing and engine configurations being quickly and easily interchanged with the fuselage to construct a desired aircraft. While such a modular aircraft can be constructed with on-board flight controls enabling control and operation by an on-board flight crew, the present modular aircraft is primarily adapted for operation and use as an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), operating either autonomously or by a remotely situated operator. 
     The present disclosure encompasses three different wing configurations, i.e., a relatively short span, low aspect ratio wing, a medium span wing, and a long span, high aspect ratio wing. These different wing configurations are optimized for different missions or operations, with the shorter span being optimized for higher speeds and the longer span being optimized for longer mission durations but at lower speeds. Each wing configuration is provided with blended “winglets,” i.e., upwardly oriented wingtip surfaces to reduce wingtip vortices and corresponding loss of aerodynamic lift around the wingtips. The three different wing configurations disclosed herein are exemplary, and it will be seen that additional wing configurations may be provided. The wings can be equipped with “hard points,” i.e., attachment points, for the carriage of additional permanently installed or releasable external fuel tanks, weaponry, releasable supply pods for rescue missions, etc. At least some wing configurations can be equipped with deice and/or anti-ice capability, as well as additional aerodynamic devices (e.g., flaps and leading edge slats) to enhance slow speed performance and reduce stall speed. 
     Three different engine modules are disclosed as well, i.e., turboprop, single turbojet, and dual turbojet modules. These three engine modules are optimized for different missions and operating environments, depending upon the speed, altitude, and endurance required of the aircraft for a given mission. These three different engine modules are exemplary, and additional engine modules having different engine configurations may be provided. The engine modules, as well as the various wing modules, are attached to the fuselage by mechanical, electromechanical, and/or magnetically locking attachments for ease of removal and replacement. This also allows a damaged wing and/or engine module(s) to be quickly replaced to minimize downtime for the aircraft. 
     In keeping with different mission requirements, the modular aircraft is equipped with a flight management system (FMS) with sensors recognizing each different wing and engine configuration installed upon the single fuselage. The FMS adjusts aerodynamic and engine control responses accordingly for flight. The single fuselage can also be equipped with radar and/or other sensors operating in various electromagnetic spectra, including stereoscopic cameras operating in the visible light spectrum to provide a remote operator with an on-board three-dimensional field of view for operation of the aircraft. These sensors provide through data links, a complete three-dimensional first person view to the aircraft operator and/or base of operations. The data output can be connected to virtual reality helmets or other display means for the aircraft operator. The radar and/or other sensors can be interchangeable to provide for the installation of different radar and/or sensor configurations for different missions or operations. Additional sensors, e.g., airspeed, altitude, bearing or direction of flight, attitude, etc., can be incorporated in the aircraft for operation of the aircraft by a remotely situated operator or for autonomous operation. 
     The landing gear for the aircraft is preferably retractable, and incorporated in the single fuselage in order to simplify the wing construction for the various wing configurations and to simplify the interconnects between fuselage and wings. The fuselage also preferably contains an internal payload bay for weaponry, additional fuel, surveillance equipment such as cameras and/or other sensors, etc. The top of the fuselage further includes an aerodynamic brake located in front of the rearwardly situated engine module. The aerodynamic brake may be considered as a spoiler, i.e., a device “spoiling” or reducing the aerodynamic lift over the fuselage, as the fuselage is shaped or configured somewhat like a lifting body in order to enhance the aerodynamic performance of the modular aircraft. The spoiler is configured such that it does not induce engine flameout in the case of a turbojet engine, and is automated by the flight management system (FMS). 
     The FMS, including an autopilot system, is situated in the fuselage. The controls to the wings&#39; control surfaces and propulsion modules are controlled via the autopilot and FMS that adjusts to the configuration of the aircraft. When wings and engine are installed and connected to the fuselage, the system automatically detects the given configuration comprising one of the nine possible combinations and loads the parameters respective to the given configuration, e.g., maximum permissible bank angle and rate of roll, etc. This configuration change process is completely automated by the FMS. The fuselage and its permanently installed empennage, as well as the various wings, are preferably constructed of a combination of carbon fiber and other high strength materials to provide optimum strength to weight ratios, and are optimized to minimize aerodynamic drag. 
     Various hard points, i.e., attachment points for external stores (fuel, weaponry sensors, etc.) can be provided in and beneath the wings and/or fuselage, as desired. These hard points can vary in number, from as few as one or two beneath each wing of the shorter wing configuration, to as many as four, five, or more beneath each wing of the longer wing configuration. 
     The modular aircraft system can be equipped as a fuel tanker to supply inflight refueling to other manned or unmanned aircraft. The fuselage can include a retractable refueling line, i.e., hose, rigid boom, etc., deployable from the payload bay and selectively connected to an on-board fuel supply carried within the fuselage and/or wings and/or external tanks on the wings. The flight management system can include software for managing the dispensing of onboard fuel to another aircraft, as well as managing the control of the aircraft for joining up with the fuel receiving aircraft and deploying the fuel dispensing hose or boom. 
     These and other features of the present invention will become readily apparent upon further review of the following specification and drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a front perspective view of a first embodiment of a modular aircraft system according to the present invention, equipped with short span wings and turboprop engine modules. 
         FIG. 2  is a front perspective view of a second embodiment of a modular aircraft system according to the present invention, equipped with short span wings and single turbojet engine modules. 
         FIG. 3  is a front perspective view of a third embodiment of a modular aircraft system according to the present invention, equipped with short span wings and dual turbojet engine modules. 
         FIG. 4  is a rear perspective view of a fourth embodiment of a modular aircraft system according to the present invention, equipped with medium span wings and turboprop engine modules. 
         FIG. 5  is a rear perspective view of a fifth embodiment of a modular aircraft system according to the present invention, equipped with medium span wings and single turbojet engine modules. 
         FIG. 6  is a rear perspective view of a sixth embodiment of a modular aircraft system according to the present invention, equipped with medium span wings and dual turbojet engine modules. 
         FIG. 7  is a rear perspective view of a seventh embodiment of a modular aircraft system according to the present invention, equipped with long span wings and turboprop engine modules. 
         FIG. 8  is a rear perspective view of an eighth embodiment of a modular aircraft system according to the present invention, equipped with long span wings and single turbojet engine modules. 
         FIG. 9  is a rear perspective view of a ninth embodiment of a modular aircraft system according to the present invention, equipped with long span wings and dual turbojet engine modules. 
         FIG. 10  is an exploded front perspective view of the second embodiment of the modular aircraft system according to the present invention, showing the short span wings and single turbojet modules separated from the fuselage. 
         FIG. 11  is a front perspective view of the turboprop engine module of the modular aircraft system according to the present invention. 
         FIG. 12  is a front perspective view of the single turbojet engine module of the modular aircraft system according to the present invention. 
         FIG. 13  is a front perspective view of the dual turbojet engine module of the modular aircraft system according to the present invention. 
         FIG. 14A  is a perspective view of a first connector for attaching the engine modules of the modular aircraft system according to the present invention. 
         FIG. 14B  is a perspective view of a second connector for attaching the engine modules of the modular aircraft system according to the present invention. 
         FIG. 15  is a right side perspective view of the sixth embodiment modular aircraft system according to the present invention, showing the right wing removed to illustrate the wing attachment structure. 
         FIG. 16  is a left end perspective view of the medium span right wing of the modular aircraft system according to the present invention showing the wing root attachment structure, with short and long span wings shown in broken lines. 
         FIG. 17  is a right side elevation view of the seventh embodiment of the modular aircraft system according to the present invention, illustrating its general configuration. 
         FIG. 18  is a bottom plan view of the second embodiment of the modular aircraft system according to the present invention, illustrating the landing gear and payload bay doors. 
         FIG. 19  is a schematic diagram of the general systems of the modular aircraft system according to the present invention. 
         FIG. 20  is a schematic diagram of the fuel system of the modular aircraft system according to the present invention. 
     
    
    
     Similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently throughout the attached drawings. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     The modular aircraft system includes a single fuselage, an empennage, a number of different wing and engine configurations that may be quickly and easily installed to and removed from the fuselage in order to optimize the aircraft for different mission requirements. The modular aircraft system is primarily intended as a remotely piloted or autonomously controlled aircraft, i.e., without a human pilot or operator on board. The modular aircraft can be a drone, for example. 
       FIGS. 1 through 9  provide perspective views of the nine different aircraft configurations that may be assembled using the three different wing module configurations and three different engine module configurations of the modular aircraft system. In all of the various configurations, the modular aircraft can include a fuselage  10  having a permanently installed empennage  12 . The empennage  12  has a fixed stabilizer  14  with movable elevators  16 , with the stabilizer  14  having left and right outboard tips  18   a ,  18   b . Fixed upwardly extending fins  20   a ,  20   b  and downwardly extending fins  22   a ,  22   b  extend from the respective left and right tips  18   a ,  18   b . Each upwardly extending fin  20   a ,  20   b  has a movable rudder, respectively  24   a  and  24   b.    
     The modular aircraft fuselage is configured to withstand wide ranges of temperature and has great strength due to its carbon fiber construction. The aircraft is configured in such a way that the center of gravity of the aircraft always lies along the aircraft fuselage, i.e., along the longitudinal axis, of the aircraft in all aircraft configurations. The fuselage construction comprises panels secured to bulkheads and longerons. The highest loads are distributed along the bulkheads for structural stability, and the panels for the propulsion units are held in place by magnetic locking and detach with a clip mechanism. 
     The fuselage  10  can include rearwardly disposed first and second engine module stations  26  and  28  (depending upon the engine configuration to be used) and a selectively deployable aerodynamic brake  30  disposed atop the fuselage  10  in front of the engine module stations  26  and  28  (and thus in front of an engine installed to one of the engine module stations). The aerodynamic brake  30  is shown in its open or deployed position in broken lines in  FIG. 10 . The aerodynamic brake  30  may be considered to act as a spoiler for the fuselage  10 , in that the configuration of the fuselage results in the fuselage acting as a lifting body to some extent, i.e., providing some aerodynamic lifting force when flown at a positive angle of attack. 
     The fuselage  10  further includes retractable tricycle landing gear, as evidenced by the left main, right main, and nosewheel landing gear doors, respectively  32 ,  34 , and  36 , shown in the bottom plan view of the second embodiment modular aircraft  200  of  FIG. 18 .  FIG. 18  also shows the payload bay doors  38  for the internal payload bay  40 , shown in broken lines. A radome  42  on the nose of the fuselage  10  protects a radar system installed therebehind. The radome is connected to the fuselage via a rail link mechanism and can be easily replaced. The radar may be any of various types, e.g., weather, targeting, etc., and the various radar units may be interchangeably installed in the fuselage  10 . Sensors  44   a  and  44   b  are also provided in the nose of the fuselage  10 . The sensors may operate in the visual spectrum, or in the infrared or other spectrum. Dual sensors  44   a ,  44   b , along with sensors in the bottom of the fuselage, operate in the visual spectrum to provide a remote operator or pilot with a stereoscopic, or three dimensional, viewpoint to facilitate control of the aircraft. 
     The payloads are shielded from detection and aerodynamically shielded from stresses in the bay and deployable by a hydraulic system. The payload bay is controlled by the FMS through the multifunctional avionics connector, which connects different payloads to the FMS. The aircraft can carry retractable gimbals and other sensors. 
       FIG. 1  provides a perspective view of a first embodiment modular aircraft  100 . The fuselage  10  of the modular aircraft  100  is equipped with a short wing module comprising a short left wing  46   a  and opposite short right wing  46   b , the two wings  46   a  and  46   b  being essentially in mirror image to one another. Each wing  46   a ,  46   b  includes an aileron, respectively  48   a  and  48   b , for roll control, and a flap, respectively  50   a  and  50   b , for additional lift and drag when required. Leading edge slats, respectively  52   a  and  52   b , may also be provided with the wings  46   a  and  46   b  of the short wing module. Each wing  46   a ,  46   b  is equipped with a blended winglet, respectively  54   a  and  54   b , to reduce aerodynamic losses at the wingtips. The wings  46   a ,  46   b  may also be provided with hard points for removable external attachment of weaponry, fuel tanks, etc., as shown schematically in  FIGS. 19 and 20  and described further below in the discussion of the systems disclosed in  FIGS. 19 and 20 . 
     The short wing modular aircraft  100  of  FIG. 1  has a turboprop engine module  56  installed on the second or rearward engine module station  28 . A fairing or cover  58  is provided over the first engine module station  26  when the turboprop engine module  56  is installed on any of the modular aircraft configurations. 
       FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a second embodiment modular aircraft  200 . The airframe of the modular aircraft  200  is identical to that of the modular aircraft  100  of  FIG. 1 , differing only in the engine installation. The modular aircraft  200  is equipped with a single turbojet engine module  60 , rather than the turboprop engine module  56  of the modular aircraft  100  embodiment of  FIG. 1 . The single turbojet engine module  60  is installed upon the first or forwardmost engine module station  26 , with a cover or fairing  62  installed over the rearward or second engine module station  28  used for the turboprop engine module installation. 
       FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a third embodiment modular aircraft  300 . The airframe of the modular aircraft  300  is identical to those of the modular aircraft  100  and  200  respectively of  FIGS. 1 and 2 , differing only in the engine installation. The modular aircraft  300  is equipped with a dual turbojet engine module  64 , rather than the single turbojet engine module  60  of the modular aircraft  200  embodiment of  FIG. 2 . The dual turbojet engine module  64  is installed upon the first or forwardmost engine module station  26  with a cover or fairing  62  installed over the rearward or second engine module station  28  used for the turboprop engine module installation, generally along the lines of the single turbojet embodiment  200  of  FIG. 2 . 
       FIG. 4  is a rear perspective view of a fourth embodiment modular aircraft  400 . As in all other embodiments, the fuselage  10  and all of its permanently installed components are identical in all embodiments. However, the modular aircraft embodiment  400  of  FIG. 4  is equipped with a wing module comprising left and right wings  66   a  and  66   b  of intermediate span, or in other words, of a longer span than the span of wings  46   a  and  46   b . The intermediate span wings  66   a ,  66   b  include corresponding aerodynamic components to those of the shorter span wings  46   a ,  46   b , i.e., ailerons  48   a ,  48   b , flaps  50   a ,  50   b , slats  52   a ,  52   b , and winglets  54   a ,  54   b , with these aerodynamic components scaled according to the span of the intermediate span wings  66   a ,  66   b . It will be seen in  FIG. 4 , as well as in subsequent Figs., that depending winglets  55   a ,  55   b  may be provided at the wingtips, as well as the blended winglets  54   a  and  54   b . Such depending winglets  55   a ,  55   b  may be provided with any of the various wing spans in any of the embodiments, and can serve to increase the efficiency particularly of the shorter span wings  46   a ,  46   b  with their correspondingly greater aerodynamic losses at their wingtips. The turboprop engine module  56  of the fourth embodiment  400  of  FIG. 4  is identical to that module  56  illustrated in  FIG. 1  for the first embodiment modular aircraft  100 . 
     The modular aircraft embodiment  500  of  FIG. 5  includes intermediate span wings  66   a  and  66   b , as in the modular aircraft embodiment  400  of  FIG. 4 , and a single turbojet engine module  60  as in the modular aircraft embodiment  200  of  FIG. 2 . The modular aircraft embodiment  600  of  FIG. 6  includes intermediate span wings  66   a  and  66   b  as in the modular aircraft embodiment  400  of  FIG. 4  and a dual turbojet engine module  64  as in the modular aircraft embodiment  300  of  FIG. 3 . As in all other embodiments, the fuselage  10  and all of its permanently installed components are identical in all embodiments. 
       FIG. 7  is a rear perspective view of a seventh embodiment modular aircraft  700 , with a right side elevation view of this embodiment being illustrated in  FIG. 17 . As in all other embodiments, the fuselage  10  and all of its permanently installed components are identical in all embodiments. However, the modular aircraft embodiment  700  of  FIG. 7  is equipped with a wing module comprising left and right wings  68   a  and  68   b  having a long or wide span, or in other words a span longer than the intermediate span of wings  66   a  and  66   b . The long or wide span wings  68   a ,  68   b  include aerodynamic components corresponding to those of the shorter span wings  46   a ,  46   b  and intermediate span wings  66   a ,  66   b , i.e., ailerons  48   a ,  48   b , flaps  50   a ,  50   b , slats  52   a ,  52   b , and winglets  54   a ,  54   b , with these aerodynamic components scaled according to the span of the long or wide span wings  68   a ,  68   b . Depending winglets  55   a ,  55   b  may be provided at the wingtips, as well as the blended winglets  54   a  and  54   b , as in modular aircraft embodiments  400  through  600  respectively of  FIGS. 4 through 6 . Such depending winglets  55   a ,  55   b  can be provided with any of the various wing spans in any of the embodiments, as noted further above. The turboprop engine module  56  installed to the second engine station  28  of the seventh embodiment  700  of  FIG. 7  is identical to that module  56  illustrated in  FIG. 1  for the first embodiment modular aircraft  100  and  FIG. 4  for the fourth embodiment modular aircraft  400 . 
     The modular aircraft embodiment  800  of  FIG. 8  includes the long or wide span wings  68   a  and  68   b , as in the modular aircraft embodiment  700  of  FIG. 7 , and the single turbojet engine module  60 , as in the modular aircraft embodiment  200  of  FIG. 2 or 500  of  FIG. 5 . The modular aircraft embodiment  900  of  FIG. 9  includes long or wide span wings  68   a  and  68   b  of the modular aircraft embodiment  700  of  FIG. 7 , and the dual turbojet engine module  64 , as in the modular aircraft embodiment  300  of  FIG. 3 or 600  of  FIG. 6 . 
       FIG. 10  is an exploded perspective view of the second embodiment modular aircraft  200  of  FIG. 2 , with its shorter span wings  46   a ,  46   b  and single turbojet engine  60 . The selected single turbojet engine module  60  is exemplary, and any of the engine modules  56 ,  60 , or  64 , as shown respectively in  FIGS. 11, 12, and 13 , may be installed as desired in order to arrive at the respective modular aircraft embodiments  100 ,  200 , or  300  of  FIG. 1, 2 , or  3 , described in detail further above. 
       FIG. 10  also illustrates further details of the installation of the engine and wing components. The various engine modules  56 ,  60 , and  64  are provided with universal connectors  70   a , one of which is shown in  FIG. 14 a   , in order to interface properly with a mating fuselage connector  70   b , as shown in  FIG. 14 b   . Two such fuselage connectors  70   b  are installed in the fuselage  10 , to serve as engine attachment bases and to provide operable connection to each of the two turbojet engines of the dual turbojet module  64  ( FIG. 13 ). Only a single connector  70   b  cooperates with a corresponding single engine connector  70   a  when either the single turboprop engine module  56  or the single turbojet module  60  is installed. It will be seen that the two connectors  70   a  and  70   b  are in mirror image relative to one another, in order that they mate properly with one another when their components are facing one another. 
     The various connector components are shown somewhat schematically, but comprise mating circumferential mechanical locks  72   a ,  72   b  surrounding the other components. Additional mating magnetic locks, respectively  74   a  and  74   b , are also provided within each connector  70   a ,  70   b . Mating flight management system (FMS) sensor connectors  76   a ,  76   b , hydraulic connectors  78   a ,  78   b , electrical connectors  80   a ,  80   b , lubrication connectors  82   a ,  82   b , and fuel connectors  84   a ,  84   b  are also provided within the circumferential mechanical locks  72   a ,  72   b  of each connector component  70   a  and  70   b . The connectors  70   a ,  70   b  may be installed at any convenient or suitable location on the various structures, with an exemplary installation for the fuselage connectors  70   b  being shown in the engine module station  28  in  FIG. 10 . This quick connect and quick disconnect system for multiple functions greatly simplifies and accelerates the installation and removal of any of the various engine modules of the system. 
     The wing connectors are also illustrated generally in  FIG. 10  and in greater detail in  FIGS. 15 and 16 . All wing modules are connected to the fuselage  10  using the same general principles as used for connecting the various engine modules to the fuselage, as described above. Rather than using a circular or cylindrical connector, as shown in  FIGS. 14A and 14B  for the engines, rectangular tongues or tabs  86   a  extend from each wing root  88  to insert into mating receptacles  86   b  in the fuselage  10 , generally as shown in  FIG. 10  of the drawings. The magnetic locks and sensors are independent and do not require additional linkage or connectors when changing one wing type to another. The mechanical locks provide added redundancy to the locking mechanism. 
       FIGS. 15 and 16  provide more detailed views of the wing-to-fuselage connection system. It will be noted in  FIG. 16  that only a single wing root  88  is shown, as the wing root configurations for any given side (left or right) are identical for all of the various wing modules of the corresponding side in order to mate with the corresponding left and right wing attachment stations, e.g., the left side station or receptacle  86   b  shown in  FIG. 10 , of the single fuselage configuration  10 . The left and right wing roots  88  are in mirror image to one another, as are the left and right wing attachment stations. The right wing  66   b  of the intermediate span wing module is illustrated in solid lines in  FIG. 16 , with a shorter span right wing  46   b  and longer span right wing  68   b  being shown in broken lines in  FIG. 16 . 
     The wing root  88  has a peripheral magnetic connector  88   a , with the fuselage  10  having a mating magnetic periphery  88   b  for the wing root attachment. The wing root tab or tongue  86   a  also includes a series of mechanical connectors  90   a  that mate with corresponding mechanical connectors  90   b  at the fuselage receptacle. (The cylindrical fittings toward the trailing edge or right hand portion of the wing root  88  in  FIG. 16  are also mechanical connectors or locks  90   a  of a different geometrical configuration.) A sensor connector  92   a  for the flight management system (FMS) is provided, as well as a hydraulic connector  94   a , an electrical connector  96   a , a fuel connector  98   a , and a lubrication connector  99   a . While corresponding components  92   b  through  99   b  are not illustrated in the wing attachment of  FIG. 15 , it will be seen that mating fittings are provided that are somewhat analogous to the mating fittings  70   a  through  84   b  of the engine module attachment components illustrated in  FIGS. 14A and 14B . The essentially simultaneous engagement of all of the various fittings to one another when any of the wings are installed to the fuselage  10 , serves to greatly facilitate and reduce the time and effort required for such assembly. 
     The sensors attached to the wing relay the wing type to the flight management software, which automatically adjusts the flight characteristics with respect to the wings. The autopilot receives the signals from the wings and thee engines to determine the configuration. Any mismatch in the configuration will result in an error report from the flight management system, thus alerting maintenance crews to check the connections. When the autopilot receives signals from the wings and engine type, the corresponding configuration is loaded by the FMS. The FMS loads all required aircraft parameters respective to the configuration, such as (but not limited to) maximum rate of roll, maximum bank angle, and stall speeds for any given gross weight, configuration, and G loading. Thus, the changeover of one configuration to another is automated by the FMS. 
       FIGS. 19 and 20  are schematic drawings respectively illustrating the basic components and relationships of the sensor and control system and the fuel system. In  FIG. 19 , the electrical system  1000  serves as the heart of the system and communicates either directly or indirectly with all other systems. The electrical system  1000  receives input from the avionics system  1002 , which in turn receives input from the various sensors  1004 , e.g., airspeed, altitude, attitude, direction, etc., for operation of the hydraulic system  1006  that operates the various flight control surfaces  1008 . The avionics system  1002  also interfaces with telemetry  1010  to provide information to a remotely situated operator and/or to receive input from such a remotely situated operator. The avionics system  1002  may also communicate with the payload  1012 , depending upon the requirements of the payload (e.g., so-called “smart” bombs or weaponry, additional sensors, etc.), and further controls the lubrication and de-icing systems, respectively  1014  and  1016 . The wings are provided with deicing capability. The sensors on the wing can automatically detect ice formation on the wing and activate deicing on the wing. The wing deicing bladders are heated by electrical power from the aircraft power system to break up any ice formation in flight. 
     The electrical system further communicates with whichever engine module has been installed. In the exemplary schematic of  FIG. 19 , two engines are shown, i.e., the dual turbojet engine module  64  as shown in  FIG. 13  and others. Corresponding connectors  70   a  and  70   b  (shown in  FIGS. 14A and 14B , respectively) interface between the two engines of the module  64  and the various other systems. Two such connector assemblies  70   a ,  70   b  are required in the example of  FIG. 19 , as two engines are provided in the dual turbojet module  64 . Each connector assembly shown in  FIG. 19 , i.e., connector  1  and connector  2 , actually comprises the engine module connector component  70   a  and its mating component  70   b  in the fuselage  10 . 
     The on-board fuel supply can comprise any combination of internal wing tanks  1018 , internal fuselage tanks  1020 , and/or external wing or fuselage tanks  1022 . One or more of these tanks  1018  through  1022  is fluidly connected to the engine module, e.g., engine module  64 , through the connector assembly or assemblies (for the dual turbojet module)  70   a ,  70   b . The fuel system further interfaces with the electrical system  1000  and sensors  1004 . 
       FIG. 20  provides a more detailed schematic of the fuel system of the modular aircraft in its various embodiments, including provision for airborne refueling of other aircraft. The fuel supply comprises the internal wing tanks  1018 , internal fuselage tank(s)  1020 , and external tank(s)  1022  noted in  FIG. 19 . Each of the various tanks  1018  through  1022  displays its fuel quantity by means of a gauge, or more accurately in the case of an unmanned aircraft, a sensor  1024  to provide quantity information to a remote operator. Fuel is supplied from the selected tank(s) by pumps  1026  and distributed by means of the various valves  1028  in the system, as controlled by the electrical system  1000  of  FIG. 19 . Any external wing tanks  1022  connect to their respective internal wing tanks  1018 , rather than connecting directly to a central delivery point. A crossfeed valve  1030  is provided between the two wing tanks  1018  to balance the fuel delivery from the internal and external fuel supplies on the two sides of the aircraft. Fuel flows through a fuel filter  1032  and heater  1034  to a fuel distribution valve  1036 , and thence to the engine module as described further above. In the example of  FIG. 20 , two engine connector assemblies  70   a ,  70   b  are shown, indicating that this configuration would be for the dual turbojet engine module  64 , as described further above in the schematic of  FIG. 19 . 
     The modular aircraft is equipped with single point refueling, via a single inlet or receptor  1038 . Fuel flows during the refueling process from the inlet or receptor  1038  through a refueling valve  1040  by means of a refueling pump  1042 , and then through a refueling filter  1044  to the right main or internal fuel tank  1018 . Fuel is then distributed through the system by means of the various valves  1028  and the crossfeed valve  1030 , as appropriate. 
     The modular aircraft can include a system for the airborne refueling of other aircraft, as well. The fuel distribution valve  1036  can simultaneously provide fuel to an output or delivery valve  1046  and output or delivery pump  1048  to a fuel output or delivery hose  1050 . (A rigid refueling boom can be provided in lieu of the flexible hose  1050 , if desired.) The sensors present at the end of the fuel connector allow for the precise alignment of the connector with the fuel nozzle of the tanker aircraft. Once connection is established, a transmitter-sensor  1052  senses the amount and rate of fuel flow through the hose  1050  and provides this information to the electrical system  1000  ( FIG. 19 ) of the modular aircraft for processing. When the refueling is completed, the fuel hose is retracted into the fuselage. Retraction is automated by the FMS. Fuel can thus be delivered while airborne from the on-board fuel supply  1018  through  1022  of the modular aircraft to another aircraft  1052  in flight. 
     The operations of the modular aircraft can be considered as the most flexible operation covering a wide range at minimal costs, both in operations and training. With the interchangeability of all components, the same fuselage can be used for many operations and this allows reduced costs in maintenance and ownership. Minimum parts inclusive of engine units need to be maintained for different missions. The cost of training crews for multiple missions is greatly reduced, as one modular aircraft system is sufficient to cover multiple mission types. A single pilot or operator can perform multiple mission roles with minimal training due to the autonomous nature of the aircraft, and such operators require minimal cross training for operating the system. 
     It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, but encompasses any and all embodiments within the scope of the following claims.