Aurora Mock-9

Independent VTOL Configuration Study

VTOL configuration concepts exploring layout tradeoffs, lift strategies, and future CAD / analysis paths, informed by the F-35 lift-fan system and experimental Aurora jet concepts.

Drafted: 2025.03 · Revised: 2026.03 · Pre-CAD
Project Context

Comparative study of VTOL layouts, lift strategies, and subsystem placement before detailed modeling.

Next Steps
  • Initial 3D geometry
  • Packaging refinement
  • First-pass CFD / structural screening
RAVEN-X VTOL concept—ducted lift configuration study
Role: Experimental config · Lift: Ducted · Status: Concept study
RAVEN-X
Tier 2 Urban/STOVL concept Future CFD candidate

Systems Focus: Compact ducted-lift concept for urban hover and short-range insertion.

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RAVEN-X Notes:
• Compact ducted-lift concept for constrained zones.
• Stability-focused hover layout.
• Candidate for early hover/control analysis.
SHADOW VARIANT VTOL concept—transition thrust-vector configuration
Role: Transition study · Lift: Variable tilt · Status: Concept study
SHADOW VARIANT
Tier 1 Transition mechanics Priority CFD target

Systems Focus: Transition-focused layout for cruise-to-hover behavior and low-signature propulsion.

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SHADOW VARIANT Notes:
• Transition-focused thrust-vector concept.
• Useful for mode-change stability studies.
• Strong candidate for first-pass CFD screening.
VEILRUNNER VTOL concept—low-altitude silent deployment study
Role: Low-signature ops · Lift: Hover-focused · Status: Concept study
VEILRUNNER
Tier 1 Low-signature hover Acoustic trade study

Systems Focus: Low-signature hover concept for stable close-target deployment.

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VEILRUNNER Notes:
• Low-signature hover-oriented layout.
• Supports close-target deployment concepts.
• Good candidate for acoustic/hover comparisons.
NIGHT FLIGHT VTOL concept—night operations and sensor-driven concept
Role: Night ops · Lift: Recon profile · Status: Concept study
NIGHT FLIGHT
Tier 3 Sensor-driven concept Mission profile study

Systems Focus: Night-operations concept for sensing and low-visibility navigation.

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NIGHT FLIGHT Notes:
• Night-navigation and sensing-oriented concept.
• Useful for compact sensor packaging studies.
• Lower-priority simulation candidate.
CUTAWAY-9 VTOL concept—internal structure and airflow pathway study
Role: Internal layout · Lift: Exposed flow path · Status: Concept study
CUTAWAY-9
Tier 1 Packaging study Internal flow logic

Systems Focus: Internal layout study for frame architecture and airflow routing.

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CUTAWAY-9 Notes:
• Internal framing concept for packaging and flow-path reasoning.
• Useful bridge between sketch ideation and future geometry.
• Strong reference layout for later CAD embodiment.
MULTIWING ASCENT VTOL concept—vertical climb and confined-space launch study
Role: Vertical climb · Lift: Multi-surface concept · Status: Concept study
MULTIWING ASCENT
Tier 2 Confined launch study Stability tradeoff

Systems Focus: Vertical-lift concept for constrained launch and thrust-distribution studies.

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MULTIWING ASCENT Notes:
• Vertical-boost concept for tight launch zones.
• Useful for thrust distribution and ascent stability comparisons.
• Mid-priority candidate for first-pass hover analysis.
SAGEFRAME VTOL concept—stability augmentation and control logic concept
Role: Stability augmentation · Lift: Control-oriented concept · Status: Concept study
SAGEFRAME
Tier 2 Control logic concept Harsh-air stability

Systems Focus: Stability-augmentation concept for drift correction and disturbance response.

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SAGEFRAME Notes:
• Control-oriented concept for drift and turbulence response.
• Useful for mapping control logic against airframe geometry.
• Better framed as a controls study than a lead configuration.
SCORCH OPS VTOL concept—high-temperature mission and thermal survivability concept
Role: Thermal mission study · Lift: High-load concept · Status: Concept study
SCORCH OPS
Tier 2 Thermal survivability Environmental trade study

Systems Focus: Thermal mission concept for endurance and environmental survivability.

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SCORCH OPS Notes:
• Heat-exposure concept for mission-environment tradeoffs.
• Supports early thinking about high-temperature envelopes.
• Strong fit for the thermal-analysis side of the portfolio.
UI-REACTOR HUD concept—cockpit interface and system feedback study
Role: Interface concept · Lift: Control-display study · Status: Concept study
UI-REACTOR HUD
Tier 2 Cockpit interface System feedback study

Systems Focus: Cockpit-display concept for pilot-facing system feedback and interface logic.

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UI-REACTOR HUD Notes:
• Interface study for propulsion, energy, and mission-state feedback.
• Useful as a systems-integration layer rather than a pure airframe study.
• Best kept as a supporting systems concept.
POWER NODES concept—subsystem power routing and balance study
Role: Power architecture · Lift: Support system study · Status: Concept study
POWER NODES
Tier 3 Power routing Support architecture

Systems Focus: Power-routing concept for subsystem balance, redundancy, and wiring logic.

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POWER NODES Notes:
• Support study for subsystem distribution and routing priorities.
• Useful for identifying balance and redundancy questions early.
• Better as an architecture support concept than a lead configuration.
Contact / request details
Additional concept notes, development updates, or future analysis outputs can be shared on request.
© Audrey Enriquez. Concept studies and associated documentation are original portfolio material and may not be reused without written permission.