Rotor-heads, enjoy!This is Lockheed Martin's latest patent filing for a new aircraft, and it completely stumps me. The patent document [see below] explains the "wings are directly driven by engines located at the wing tips. The aircraft incorporates large-span, high aspect ratio blades or wings that are joined at their outermost tips to improve the structural characteristics of the wings. ... The design enables vertical takeoff and landing capabilities, thus simplifying launch and recovery operations for the aircraft.
Interestingly, the publication of this patent filing on May 21 came only two weeks after a senior Bell Helicopter executive told me thinks Lockheed wants to jump back into the helicopter market (remember the Cheyenne?).
on June 2, 2009 6:20 PM | Reply
Anyone remember Joe 90?
on June 3, 2009 12:08 AM | Reply
How bizarre...
on June 3, 2009 12:54 PM | Reply
It looks as if it was based on this: http://www.internationalhero.co.uk/j/joe90.jpg :-D
on June 5, 2009 4:42 PM | Reply
May be Lockheed is in discussions with Textron to buy Bell?