Abstract

An all-wing aircraft is disclosed that has novel foreplane and depending aftplane, a center wing section and outer wing panel flying surfaces which cooperate aerodynamically to eliminate the need for conventional fuselage and tail structures. The foreplanes are strategically located to create a positive pitching moment which is sufficient to significantly reduce elevator forces and to balance the negative pitching moment induced by the outer wing panels and the downwardly extending aftplane units that provide static and dynamic pitch and yaw stability. At the same time, the foreplane structures serve as an unobstructed means to mount engines forward on the airframe to established a forward empty center of gravity. Additionally the aftplane structure serves as a means to mount main landing gears, elevators, ruddervators and to provide structural means for interconnecting outboard wing sections of the airplane.The all-wing design is of a nature permitting adoption of the principles thereof in either a multi-engine airplane or single-engine airplane. In both instances, a center wing section, foreplane and aftplane structures and outer wing sections cooperate to provide stability in all three axes of movement of the airplane while decreasing fuel burn by virtue of an improved lift to drag ratio and empty weight reduction by removal of the conventional fuselage and tail structures.

Other References

• Flight International, 4-10 Jul. 1990, "Building the B-2", pp. 24-2