tiltrotors
Rotating-nacelle flying machines
Tiltrotors are aircraft that combine features of helicopters and airplanes by using rotors that tilt between vertical and horizontal positions.
In vertical mode, tiltrotors take off and land like helicopters; tilted forward, they fly like propeller planes with greater speed and range.
The V-22 Osprey is the most prominent military example: The tiltrotors transported troops to the remote outpost.
Perpendicular takeoff ability
- hoverRemain suspended midair
- transitionChange from one state
- takeoffDeparture or parody
- landingDescent's final moment
cruise · airspeed · altitude · maneuverability · agility · pitch · roll · yaw
Hybrid helicopter-airplane for combat
- convertiplaneAircraft with tilting rotors
- nacellesEngine housing structures
- rotorSpinning mechanical assembly
- propellersSpinning blades creating thrust
airframe · fuselage · cockpit · turboshaft · gearbox · blade · fixed-wing · avionics
Physics of air motion
- propulsionForce driving movement forward
- liftMechanism for vertical transport
- thrustForceful forward motion
- dragResistance through fluid
gearbox · driveshaft · redundancy · vibration · certification
Operating on land and water
- tacticalStrategically planned
- reconnaissanceInformation-gathering before action
- deploymentOrganized distribution of resources
- insertionPlacing something within
extraction · shipboard · SOCOM · medevac
Away from land
- search-and-rescueLocating and retrieving imperiled persons
- helipadRotorcraft touchdown area
- commuterOne who travels regularly
- charterFounding organizational document
First to explore territory
- revolutionarySeeking fundamental systemic change
- breakthroughSudden important advance
- next-generationNewer, improved iteration
- advancedFar along in development
VTOL
Perpendicular takeoff ability
- hoverRemain suspended midair
- transitionChange from one state
- takeoffDeparture or parody
landing · cruise · airspeed · altitude · maneuverability · agility · pitch · roll · yaw · collective
Osprey
Hybrid helicopter-airplane for combat
- convertiplaneAircraft with tilting rotors
- nacellesEngine housing structures
- rotorSpinning mechanical assembly
propellers · airframe · fuselage · cockpit · turboshaft · gearbox · blade · fixed-wing · avionics · fly-by-wire
aerodynamics
Physics of air motion
- propulsionForce driving movement forward
- liftMechanism for vertical transport
- thrustForceful forward motion
drag · gearbox · driveshaft · redundancy · vibration · certification
amphibious
Operating on land and water
- tacticalStrategically planned
- reconnaissanceInformation-gathering before action
- deploymentOrganized distribution of resources
insertion · extraction · shipboard · SOCOM · medevac
offshore
Away from land
- search-and-rescueLocating and retrieving imperiled persons
- helipadRotorcraft touchdown area
- commuterOne who travels regularly
charter · cargo · passengers · point-to-point
pioneering
First to explore territory
- revolutionarySeeking fundamental systemic change
- breakthroughSudden important advance
- next-generationNewer, improved iteration