Multi-Hull, Multi-Wing, Multi-Engine Amphibious Aircraft (M3A2),

Brian R. Said
Lockheed Martin, Florida, United States

Keywords: aircraft, amphibious, swing wing, vectored thrust, cross domain connector, Mk48 payload, high sea state take off landing, ballistic launch stall, catamaran, multi-hull

Multi-Hull, Multi-Wing, Multi-Engine Amphibious Aircraft (M3A2), features fundamental advantages of catamaran hull sponsons (Amas) configured for enhanced wave-piercing and semi-submerged sea keeping, combining ancient Polynesian origins, proven modern naval architecture principles, diligent analytical prediction, and state-of-the-art CFD simulation. Computational simulation and analyses validate the performance envelope for power matched to lift and drag for both wave piercing stability and acceleration to take-off speed, without planning on top of the surface. Wings and control surfaces used in the design study are based on conventional STOL (short take-off and landing) aeronautical design. A space-frame truss of struts and spreaders (Akas) interconnect the articulating “swing-wings” to articulating “ride-control” Amas, and twin (tractor/pusher) vectored thrust engines, as one integral structure, tying together these adaptive/semi-flexible responsive appendages. Starting as a ‘broad-weather’ large format/high lift UAV capable of two MK48 torpedo payloads, the folded wing format is adaptable to launch &recovery from LCS. A scaled up man rated aircraft promises to eventually reduce or eliminate the inland/in-country footprint required of current civil/rescue/evacuation/military aircraft operations where-ever population density, damaged infrastructure, weather, quarantine or hostile reception threatens.