Oct 7, 2025

US12435960 - Articulating inlet for airbreathing extended range projectiles and missiles

A projectile includes a wing structure to form both an inlet that intakes air for combustion by a propulsion system of the projectile during an initial range of flight, and a lift surface for the projectile after the propulsion engine of the propulsion system burns out. The wing structure acts as both the inlet and the lift surface to enable both a long range and an optimal time of flight for the projectile to the target. The wing structure includes at least one wing that is movable from a folded position, in which the wing extends along a propulsion body section of the projectile to define the inlet, to a deployed position, in which the wing extends outwardly from the propulsion body section to form the lift surface. Any number of wings may be provided and the wings may be simultaneously deployed or sequentially deployed depending on the application.

Assignee: Raytheon Company
Inventors: Andrew J. Lotti, Shawn P. Burke, Donald G. Messitt, Jaylan S. Jones
Filing date: 2021-08-02

The patent describes a projectile featuring a wing structure that serves dual purposes: as an air intake for propulsion during initial flight and as a lift surface after propulsion ceases. The wings can transition between a folded position for streamlined flight and a deployed position for enhanced lift, allowing for extended range and optimal flight time.

Claim 1

A projectile comprising: a propulsion body section; and at least one wing movable between a folded position, in which the at least one wing extends along the propulsion body section to define an inlet between a recessed portion of an outer peripheral surface of the propulsion body, and the at least one wing, which is over the recessed portion, during an initial range of flight of the projectile, and a deployed position, in which the at least one wing extends outwardly from the propulsion body section to form a lift surface for the projectile after the initial range of flight. a propulsion body section; and at least one wing movable between a folded position, in which the at least one wing extends along the propulsion body section to define an inlet between a recessed portion of an outer peripheral surface of the propulsion body, and the at least one wing, which is over the recessed portion, during an initial range of flight of the projectile, and a deployed position, in which the at least one wing extends outwardly from the propulsion body section to form a lift surface for the projectile after the initial range of flight.

Google Patents

https://patents.google.com/patent/US12435960

USPTO PDF

https://image-ppubs.uspto.gov/dirsearch-public/print/downloadPdf/12435960