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A composite aircraft is made up of multiple ''component'' craft. It takes off and flies initially as a single aircraft, with the components able to separate in flight and continue as independent aircraft.〔(Harper, H.J.C.; Composite history, ''Flight''(1937) )〕 Typically the larger aircraft acts as a ''carrier aircraft'' or ''mother ship'', with the smaller sometimes called a ''parasite'' or ''jockey'' craft.〔(Keith-Lucas, D.; VTOL Project Work at Belfast, ''Flight'' 1960 )〕 The first composite aircraft flew in 1916, during World War I, when the British launched a Bristol Scout from a Felixstowe Porte Baby flying boat. Between the World Wars, American experiments with airship/biplane composites led to the construction of two airborne aircraft carriers, while the British Short Mayo seaplane composite demonstrated successful transatlantic mail delivery. During the Second World War some composites saw operational use〔 including the Mistel ("mistletoe"), the larger unmanned component of a composite aircraft configuration developed in Germany during the later stages of World War II, in effect a two-part manned flying bomb. Experiments continued into the jet age, with large aircraft carrying fully capable parasite fighters or reconnaissance drones, though none entered service. ==Design principles== A composite configuration is usually adopted to provide improved performance or operational flexibility for one of the components, compared to a single craft flying alone. Composite designs can take a number of different forms: In the original composite arrangement, the smaller component carries out the operational mission and is mounted on a larger carrier aircraft or "mother ship".〔Winchester, J. (Ed.); ''Concept aircraft'', Grange, 2005〕〔Hallion, RP; Saga of the rocket ships, ''Air Enthusiast'' 6, Pilot Press (1978)〕 Thus it need not be compromised by the requirements for takeoff, climb and initial cruise, but may be optimised for the later stages of the mission. In another form the larger carrier aircraft conducts the main operational mission, with small parasite aircraft carried to support it or extend its mission if required.〔(Flight 1946 )〕〔 A third variant comprises a small piloted ''jockey'' component coupled with a larger unpiloted component.〔(Flight 1960 )〕 This arrangement is typically used as an attack aircraft in which the larger component is loaded with explosives and impacts the target. The ''slip-wing'' composite comprises a lightweight upper lifting component, the slip wing, which assists the lower operational component during initial takeoff and climb: in the true slip-wing, the two wings act together as a biplane. The slip wing component may or may not be powered and/or manned. 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「composite aircraft」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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