First and second stage aircraft coupled in tandem

摘要

A vehicle comprises a first stage supersonic aircraft, and a second stage hypersonic aircraft. The second stage aircraft is in tandem with the first stage aircraft.

主权项

1. A vehicle comprising:
a first stage aircraft; a second stage aircraft; and an interstage coupler for coupling a nose section of the first stage aircraft to an aft portion of the second stage aircraft's fuselage prior to in-flight separation, and for decoupling the first and second stage aircraft to initiate in-flight separation, wherein the interstage coupler includes a plurality of retractable arms spaced about a perimeter of a nose section of the first stage aircraft, first ends of the arms hinged to the nose section, and second ends of the arms securable to the aft portion of the second stage aircraft.