GB831978A - Improved aircrait for use as a bomber - Google Patents

Abstract

831,978. Composite aircraft. MILES Ltd., F. G., and MILES, G. H. Nov. 8, 1957 [Aug. 8, 1956], No. 24306/56. Class 4. A composite aircraft has a forward component comprising a small aircraft 3 capable of supersonic speed, and a rearward component comprising a large aircraft 1 adapted to carry a bomb load and detachable from the forward component in flight. During take-off, the two components are rigidly locked together, e.g. by hydraulic means, but during flight, the connection may be made flexible, the composite aircraft being controlled by the control surfaces of the forward component. The hydraulic means may be used to damp relative movements of the components, or to control their relative angle of incidence. A bomb may be housed in the fuselage 4 of the rear component, or may be within or slung beneath the wing. On releasing the bomb, the rear component is jettisoned, the crew returning in the forward component. Alternatively, the rear component with the bomb may be released and guided by remote control to the target, the forward component returning with the crew. The rear component may have rocket engines for boost purposes, expendable jet propulsion engines 2 as shown, or may have no power plant. In the last case, the fuselage 4 may be a hollow duct directing the efflux of a jet propulsion plant in the forward component, and may be used as an afterburner or ram jet engine. The forward component may carry fuel for the homeward flight, and the rearward component the fuel for the outward flight, the forward component power plant being used only on the homeward flight.