An air inlet duct for an air-breathing combined-cycle aircraft engines is
internally divided into separate channels for low-speed and high-speed
components of the engine, and contains one or more movable panels that
are fully contained within the duct and pivotal between an open position
in which incoming air is directed to both channels and a closed position
in which all incoming air is directed to the channel leading to the
high-speed engine. This integrated duct utilizes all incoming air at all
stages of flight with no change in either the geometry of the air capture
portion of the engine or the engine itself, and no exposure of movable
leading edges. The result is a minimum of shock waves and a high degree
of efficiency in operation of the engine.