Helicopter propelled air cushion vehicle - has load carrying nacelle movable on rails between twin pontoons with skirts

摘要

An aircraft type body (27) is joined to two parallel bodies (28) by a rigid chassis to the lower surface of each of the parallel bodies is fitted a skirt with multiple air chambers, fed by multiple fans which exert a lifting force on the ground. The means of propulsion is a helicopter assembly, fixed to the chassis, consisting of a rotor which can be tilted forwards or backwards for motion in both directions. The pressurising fans are towards the front of the body, aimed to the front. Two rails (41) on the inner surfaces of the parallel bodies support a removable load carrying nacelle (43) which is movable along the rails by two double acting rams (47) to vary the vehicle centre of gravity.