blended wing

The basic shape of a passenger jet hasn’t really changed much for decades, but radical new shapes are inching closer to production. JetZero has announced that its beautiful blended-wing demonstrator has been FAA-approved to begin test flights.

Under a US$235-million contract, the US Air Force has tapped JetZero to build a prototype blended wing aircraft as a way to advance and demonstrate the capabilities of the technology that could lead to a new class of military transports.

Bombardier says it's stepping up prototype testing on its blended-wing Ecojet project, aiming to use its lift-generating fuselage, low-drag wingspan and propulsion advances to heavily reduce fuel burn and cut emissions in half.

The blended-wing Natilus Kona aircraft, which is now flying in quarter-scale testing in California, is set to have a zero-emissions variant thanks to a partnership with Zeroavia, which will provide a 600 kW hydrogen-electric powertrain option.

California startup JetZero says it's working with the USAF, NASA and the FAA to get a blended-wing body jet airliner into service by 2030, promising to use an astonishing 50% less fuel, and providing a perfect platform for clean hydrogen airliners.

As it stands, air freight is incredibly quick but also very expensive, while ocean freight is far slower but very cost-effective. Startup Natilus is out to bridge the gap with a new breed of unmanned aircraft featuring a unique blended wing body.

Looking forward to a zero-emission future for the commercial aircraft industry, Airbus has revealed three hydrogen-fueled concepts, including a striking blended wing design, with the aim of putting the first flyer into service by 2035.

At this year's Singapore Air Show, Airbus has taken the wraps off its latest Blended Wing Body (BWB) scale model demonstrator aircraft, whose purpose is to study propulsion and other systems for an airframe where the fuselage and wing merge into one.

Russia's TsAGI is developing a new blended-wing heavy transport aircraft that is designed to carry up to 500 tonnes (492 tons) of cargo, yet only reaches an altitude of between three and 12 m (10 and 40 ft) over water and land.

The X-48C Blended Wing Body (BWB, aka Hybrid Wing Body) research aircraft made its 30th and final flight as part of an eight month flight testing campaign last week.

Developed in conjunction with Boeing, NASA's X-48C is the latest iteration in its six-year X-48 program to develop an unmanned Blended Wing Body aircraft.

July 30, 2007 The traditional airplane shape is well tried and tested, but manufacturers like Boeing are moving beyond the 'tube with wings and a tail' design i