The Boeing Company
Payload engagement systems, vehicles including the same, and related methods

Abstract:

Payload engagement systems, vehicles including the same, and related methods. A payload engagement system includes a vehicle supported portion and a payload mounted portion, one of which includes an insert component, and the other of which includes a receptor component. The payload engagement system is configured to transition between a disengaged configuration and an engaged configuration via rotation of the insert component with respect to the receptor component. In the engaged configuration, the receptor component receives the insert component such that the insert component is rotationally constrained within the receptor component. A method of transporting a payload with a vehicle includes engaging the payload with a payload engagement system that includes a vehicle supported portion and a payload mounted portion, transporting the payload with the vehicle, and disengaging the payload. Each of the engaging and the disengaging includes rotating the vehicle supported portion with respect to the payload mounted portion.