CPC B64D 5/00 (2013.01) [B64C 37/02 (2013.01); B64C 39/024 (2013.01); B64C 39/08 (2013.01); B64C 39/12 (2013.01); B64D 3/00 (2013.01); B64C 2211/00 (2013.01); B64U 10/25 (2023.01); B64U 30/10 (2023.01)] | 24 Claims |
1. A composite air vehicle system, comprising:
a first air vehicle capable of independent aerodynamic flight;
a second air vehicle capable of independent aerodynamic flight; and
at least one connector element configured for reversibly interconnecting the first air vehicle and the second air vehicle in tandem arrangement to provide a composite air vehicle capable of aerodynamic flight, wherein said connector element comprises a connector strut having a first end and a second end spaced from one another, and wherein the first end is configured for being reversibly affixed with respect to a dorsal part of the first air vehicle and wherein the second end is configured for being reversibly affixed with respect to a lower belly part of the second air vehicle;
wherein the composite air vehicle system is configured for enabling at least in-flight separation of the composite air vehicle into said first air vehicle and second air vehicle, and for enabling each one of said first air vehicle and said second air vehicle to operate independently of one another; and
wherein the first air vehicle and the second air vehicle are each configured to generate aerodynamic lift at least in straight and level flight at least when interconnected to provide the composite air vehicle, to thereby provide aerodynamic lift to the composite air vehicle sufficient to thereby enable said aerodynamic flight of the composite air vehicle.
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