Click and drag on picture to see ThrustWings in
action
Each ThrustWing leading edge base is surrounded by engine
air intakes above the fixed point of each ThrustWing. Each ThrustWing
has two Vector Ports which are housed a series of variable aperture
thrust gates. One at the tip of each wing, which allows thrust to be
directed perpendicular to body of the airship, and one at the outer
trailing edge of each wing providing thrust in any direction selected by
the pilot, based on the rotation of the movable portion of each
ThrustWing.
Thrust is directed either simultaneously or singularly
through these ports to provide forward, sideward movement, or rotational
movement around the airship's vertical, longitudinal and/or lateral axis. The movable portion of each ThrustWing can be
rotated 360 degrees about their longitudinal axis. This feature allows
the pilot to move the airship forward, backward, up, and down, whether
the airship is buoyantly light or heavy, and apply additional thrust
about the airship's vertical axis for low to zero airspeed maneuvering,
including crosswind landing, take-off, and maneuvering. The amount and
direction of thrust is pilot operated and controlled by means of a
computer-enhanced fly by wire system (ITAMMS) that operates: fan pitch,
variable thrust gates, and engine speeds. It also controls ThrustWing
and rudder movements. It is also integrated to the onboard FADEC, flight
control, and ballast management system.
When alighting, all four ThrustWings are "aimed" downward from 60 to
90 degrees of cruise pitch angle. This provides the pilot maximum
"lifting thrust" giving SkyFreighter full VTOL capability. As the
airship lifts, and transitions (ellipsoid lifting body), the pilot,
using ITAMMS, moves the thrust wings in graduating steps to level cruise
pitch angle and adjusts power settings accordingly. When cruise altitude
is achieved, the pilot shuts down the two aft ThrustWing engines at
which time they act only as rear stabilons under the control of the
(ITAMMS) altitude hold and course authority. Thrust, while at cruise, is
provided solely by the two forward ThrustWings along with rear pitch and
roll provided by the two aft wings that now function as stabilons. The
single vertical stabilizer/rudder provides the majority of turning
authority at speeds over 8 kts.
When approaching to land and landing, if the airship is light,
ThrustWings are aimed upward and enough thrust is applied to bring the
airship down to the desired landing site.
