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[[File:NASA N3-X hybrid wing aircraft.jpg|thumb|The N3-X NASA concept]] |
[[File:NASA N3-X hybrid wing aircraft.jpg|thumb|The N3-X NASA concept]] |
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In the early 1920s Nicolas Woyevodsky developed a theory of the BWB and, following wind tunnel tests, the [[Westland Dreadnought]] was built. It stalled on its first flight in 1924, severely injuring the pilot, and the project was cancelled. The idea was proposed again in the early 1940s for a [[Miles M.26]] airliner project and the [[Miles M.30]] "X Minor" research prototype was built to investigate it. The [[McDonnell XP-67]] prototype interceptor also flew in 1944 but did not meet expectations. |
In the early 1920s Nicolas Woyevodsky developed a theory of the BWB and, following wind tunnel tests, the [[Westland Dreadnought]] was built. It stalled on its first flight in 1924, severely injuring the pilot, and the project was cancelled. The idea was proposed again in the early 1940s for a [[Miles M.26]] airliner project and the [[Miles M.30]] "X Minor" research prototype was built to investigate it. The [[McDonnell XP-67]] prototype interceptor also flew in 1944 but did not meet expectations. The 1944 [[CBY-3 Loadmaster|Burnelli CBY-3 Loadmaster]] was a blended wing design intended for Canadian bush operations.<ref name=JAWA1947>{{cite book |title=Jane's all the World's Aircraft 1947 |editor1-last=Bridgman |editor1-first=Leonard |year=1947 |publisher=Sampson Low, Marston & Co |location=London|pages= 96c–97c}}</ref> |
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[[NASA]] and [[McDonnell Douglas]] returned to the concept in the 1990s with an [[artificial stability|artificially stabilized]] {{convert|17|ft|adj=on}} model (6% scale) called BWB-17, built by [[Stanford University]], which was flown in 1997 and showed good handling qualities.<ref name="Liebeck2004">{{cite journal |author=Liebeck, R.H. |author-link=Robert H. Liebeck |date=January–February 2004 |title=Design of the Blended Wing Body Subsonic Transport |url=http://www.vicomplex.hu/arep/BoeingBWB.pdf |journal=Journal of Aircraft |volume=41 |issue=1 |pages=10–25 |doi=10.2514/1.9084 |url-access= |doi-access=}}</ref>{{rp|16}} From 2000 NASA went on to develop a remotely controlled research model with a {{convert|21|ft|adj=on}} wingspan. |
[[NASA]] and [[McDonnell Douglas]] returned to the concept in the 1990s with an [[artificial stability|artificially stabilized]] {{convert|17|ft|adj=on}} model (6% scale) called BWB-17, built by [[Stanford University]], which was flown in 1997 and showed good handling qualities.<ref name="Liebeck2004">{{cite journal |author=Liebeck, R.H. |author-link=Robert H. Liebeck |date=January–February 2004 |title=Design of the Blended Wing Body Subsonic Transport |url=http://www.vicomplex.hu/arep/BoeingBWB.pdf |journal=Journal of Aircraft |volume=41 |issue=1 |pages=10–25 |doi=10.2514/1.9084 |url-access= |doi-access=}}</ref>{{rp|16}} From 2000 NASA went on to develop a remotely controlled research model with a {{convert|21|ft|adj=on}} wingspan. |
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[[Airbus]] is studying a BWB design as a possible replacement for the [[Airbus A320neo family|A320neo family]]. A sub-scale model flew for the first time in June 2019 as part of the MAVERIC (Model Aircraft for Validation and Experimentation of Robust Innovative Controls) programme, which Airbus hopes will help it reduce CO<sub>2</sub> emissions by up to 50% relative to 2005 levels.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Reim |first1=Garrett |title=Airbus studies blended-wing airliner designs to slash fuel burn |url=https://www.flightglobal.com/singapore-air-show-2020/airbus-studies-blended-wing-airliner-designs-to-slash-fuel-burn/136662.article |work=Flight Global |date=11 February 2020 |language=en}}</ref> |
[[Airbus]] is studying a BWB design as a possible replacement for the [[Airbus A320neo family|A320neo family]]. A sub-scale model flew for the first time in June 2019 as part of the MAVERIC (Model Aircraft for Validation and Experimentation of Robust Innovative Controls) programme, which Airbus hopes will help it reduce CO<sub>2</sub> emissions by up to 50% relative to 2005 levels.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Reim |first1=Garrett |title=Airbus studies blended-wing airliner designs to slash fuel burn |url=https://www.flightglobal.com/singapore-air-show-2020/airbus-studies-blended-wing-airliner-designs-to-slash-fuel-burn/136662.article |work=Flight Global |date=11 February 2020 |language=en}}</ref> |
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The N3-X NASA concept uses a number of superconducting electric motors to drive the distributed fans to lower the fuel burn, emissions, and noise. The power to drive these electric fans is generated by two wingtip-mounted gas-turbine-driven superconducting electric generators. This idea for a possible future aircraft is called a "hybrid wing body" or sometimes a blended wing body. In this design, the wing blends seamlessly into the body of the aircraft, which makes it extremely aerodynamic and holds great promise for dramatic reductions in fuel consumption, noise and emissions. NASA develops concepts like these to test in computer simulations and as models in wind tunnels to prove whether the possible benefits would actually occur.{{cn|date=June 2021}} |
The N3-X NASA concept uses a number of [[Superconducting electric machine|superconducting electric motors]] to drive the distributed fans to lower the fuel burn, emissions, and noise. The power to drive these electric fans is generated by two wingtip-mounted gas-turbine-driven superconducting electric generators. This idea for a possible future aircraft is called a "hybrid wing body" or sometimes a blended wing body. In this design, the wing blends seamlessly into the body of the aircraft, which makes it extremely aerodynamic and holds great promise for dramatic reductions in fuel consumption, noise and emissions. NASA develops concepts like these to test in computer simulations and as models in wind tunnels to prove whether the possible benefits would actually occur.{{cn|date=June 2021}} |
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=== 2020s === |
=== 2020s === |
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In 2022, [[Bombardier Aviation|Bombardier]] announced its [[Bombardier EcoJet|EcoJet]] project.<ref name="AvWeek1jun2023" /><ref>{{Cite news |last=Verdon |first=Michael |date= May 30, 2023 |title=Bombardier's New Blended-Wing 'EcoJet' Cuts Emissions by 50%—and It's Hitting the Skies Soon |url=https://robbreport.com/motors/aviation/bombardiers-blended-wing-ecojet-could-eliminate-emissions-50-percent-1234848704/ |website= Robb Report }}</ref>{{better ref needed|reason=a technical ref would be better than a luxury blog|date=June 2023}} |
In 2022, [[Bombardier Aviation|Bombardier]] announced its [[Bombardier EcoJet|EcoJet]] project.<ref name="AvWeek1jun2023" /><ref>{{Cite news |last=Verdon |first=Michael |date= May 30, 2023 |title=Bombardier's New Blended-Wing 'EcoJet' Cuts Emissions by 50%—and It's Hitting the Skies Soon |url=https://robbreport.com/motors/aviation/bombardiers-blended-wing-ecojet-could-eliminate-emissions-50-percent-1234848704/ |website= Robb Report }}</ref>{{better ref needed|reason=a technical ref would be better than a luxury blog|date=June 2023}} |
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In 2023, California startup [[JetZero]] announced its [[JetZero Z5|Z5]] project, designed to carry 250 passengers, targeting the [[Middle of the market|New Midmarket Airplane]] category, expecting to use existing [[CFM International LEAP]] or [[Pratt & Whitney PW1000G]] {{cvt|35,000|lbf|kN}} engines.<ref name="AW 21Apr2023">{{cite web |last1=Norris |first1=Guy |last2=Warwick |first2=Graham |title=JetZero Unveils Midmarket Airliner And Air Force Tanker BWB Plan |url=https://m.aviationweek.com/aerospace/emerging-technologies/jetzero-unveils-midmarket-airliner-air-force-tanker-bwb-plan |website=aviationweek.com |access-date=17 August 2023 |date=21 April 2023}}</ref><ref name="AFmag2may2023">{{Cite news |last=Roza |first=David |date=May 2, 2023 |title=As USAF Considers a Blended-Wing Body Tanker, New Startup Reveals Its Concept |website=Air & Space Forces Magazine |url=https://www.airandspaceforces.com/air-force-blended-wing-body-tanker-jetzero/}}</ref> In August 2023, the [[U.S. Air Force]] announced a $235-million contract awarded over a four-year period to JetZero, culminating in first flight of the full-scale demonstrator by the first quarter of 2027. The goal of the contract is to demonstrate the capabilities of BWB technology, giving the Department of Defense and commercial industry more options for their future air platforms.<ref name="BD 16Aug2023">{{cite web |last1=Marrow |first1=Michael |title=Air Force picks startup JetZero to build blended wing body demonstrator |url=https://breakingdefense.com/2023/08/air-force-picks-startup-jetzero-to-build-blended-wing-body-demonstrator/ |website=breakingdefense.com |access-date=17 August 2023 |date=16 August 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Alcock |first1=Charles |title=JetZero's blended-wing body aircraft boosted by U.S. Air Force contract |url=https://www.futureflight.aero/news-article/2023-08-16/jetzeros-blended-wing-body-aircraft-boosted-us-air-force-contract |website=futureflight.aero |access-date=17 August 2023 |date=16 August 2023}}</ref> |
In 2023, California startup [[JetZero]] announced its [[JetZero Z5|Z5]] project, designed to carry 250 passengers, targeting the [[Middle of the market|New Midmarket Airplane]] category, expecting to use existing [[CFM International LEAP]] or [[Pratt & Whitney PW1000G]] {{cvt|35,000|lbf|kN}} engines.<ref name="AW 21Apr2023">{{cite web |last1=Norris |first1=Guy |last2=Warwick |first2=Graham |title=JetZero Unveils Midmarket Airliner And Air Force Tanker BWB Plan |url=https://m.aviationweek.com/aerospace/emerging-technologies/jetzero-unveils-midmarket-airliner-air-force-tanker-bwb-plan |website=aviationweek.com |access-date=17 August 2023 |date=21 April 2023}}</ref><ref name="AFmag2may2023">{{Cite news |last=Roza |first=David |date=May 2, 2023 |title=As USAF Considers a Blended-Wing Body Tanker, New Startup Reveals Its Concept |website=Air & Space Forces Magazine |url=https://www.airandspaceforces.com/air-force-blended-wing-body-tanker-jetzero/}}</ref> In August 2023, the [[U.S. Air Force]] announced a $235-million contract awarded over a four-year period to JetZero, culminating in first flight of the full-scale demonstrator by the first quarter of 2027. The goal of the contract is to demonstrate the capabilities of BWB technology, giving the Department of Defense and commercial industry more options for their future air platforms.<ref name="BD 16Aug2023">{{cite web |last1=Marrow |first1=Michael |title=Air Force picks startup JetZero to build blended wing body demonstrator |url=https://breakingdefense.com/2023/08/air-force-picks-startup-jetzero-to-build-blended-wing-body-demonstrator/ |website=breakingdefense.com |access-date=17 August 2023 |date=16 August 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Alcock |first1=Charles |title=JetZero's blended-wing body aircraft boosted by U.S. Air Force contract |url=https://www.futureflight.aero/news-article/2023-08-16/jetzeros-blended-wing-body-aircraft-boosted-us-air-force-contract |website=futureflight.aero |access-date=17 August 2023 |date=16 August 2023}}</ref> |
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Following this development, JetZero has received [[Federal Aviation Administration|FAA]] clearance for test flights of its Pathfinder, a 'blended-wing' demonstrator plane designed to significantly reduce drag and fuel consumption. This innovative design could potentially lower emissions by 50%. Scheduled for full-scale development by 2030, JetZero plans to create variants for passengers, cargo, and military use. The project faces challenges in certification and integration with current airport infrastructures.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Prisco |first=Jacopo |date=2024-04-04 |title=JetZero: Groundbreaking 'blended-wing' demonstrator plane cleared to fly |url=https://www.cnn.com/travel/jetzero-pathfinder-subscale-demonstrator/index.html |access-date=2024-04-14 |website=CNN |language=en}}</ref> |
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==Characteristics== |
==Characteristics== |
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*Significant payload advantages in [[Airlift |strategic airlift]], [[Cargo airline|air freight]],<ref>{{Cite web|last=Warwick | first= Graham |title= Boeing works with airlines on commercial blended wing body freighter |url= https://www.flightglobal.com/boeing-works-with-airlines-on-commercial-blended-wing-body-freighter/73711.article|access-date=2023-02-12 |website=Flight Global | date= 21 May 2007}}</ref> and [[aerial refueling]] roles |
*Significant payload advantages in [[Airlift |strategic airlift]], [[Cargo airline|air freight]],<ref>{{Cite web|last=Warwick | first= Graham |title= Boeing works with airlines on commercial blended wing body freighter |url= https://www.flightglobal.com/boeing-works-with-airlines-on-commercial-blended-wing-body-freighter/73711.article|access-date=2023-02-12 |website=Flight Global | date= 21 May 2007}}</ref> and [[aerial refueling]] roles |
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* Increased [[fuel efficiency]] — 10.9% better than a conventional [[widebody]],<ref name=AW160822/> to over 20% than a comparable conventional aircraft.<ref>{{Cite web| publisher =NASA | title = Blended Wing Body Fact Sheet|url= https://www.nasa.gov/centers/langley/news/factsheets/FS-2003-11-81-LaRC.html |access-date=2021-05-17}}</ref> A 2022 US Air Force report shows a BWB "increases aerodynamic efficiency by at least 30% over current air force tanker and mobility aircraft".<ref>{{Cite web|last= Finnerty |first=Ryan|date=2022-10-12|title=US Air Force to test blended-wing logistics aircraft by 2027 |url= https://www.flightglobal.com/fixed-wing/us-air-force-to-test-blended-wing-logistics-aircraft-by-2027/150501.article|access-date=2023-02-12 |website=Flight Global}}</ref> |
* Increased [[fuel efficiency]] — 10.9% better than a conventional [[widebody]],<ref name=AW160822/> to over 20% than a comparable conventional aircraft.<ref>{{Cite web| publisher =NASA | title = Blended Wing Body Fact Sheet|url= https://www.nasa.gov/centers/langley/news/factsheets/FS-2003-11-81-LaRC.html |access-date=2021-05-17}}</ref> A 2022 US Air Force report shows a BWB "increases aerodynamic efficiency by at least 30% over current air force tanker and mobility aircraft".<ref>{{Cite web|last= Finnerty |first=Ryan|date=2022-10-12|title=US Air Force to test blended-wing logistics aircraft by 2027 |url= https://www.flightglobal.com/fixed-wing/us-air-force-to-test-blended-wing-logistics-aircraft-by-2027/150501.article|access-date=2023-02-12 |website=Flight Global}}</ref> |
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*Lower noise — NASA [[Auralization|audio simulations]] show a 15 [[Decibel |dB]] reduction of [[Boeing 777]]-class aircraft,<ref>{{cite web |last= Warwick |first= Graham |title= Hear This – The BWB is Quiet! |url= http://aviationweek.com/blog/hear-bwb-quiet |work= [[Aviation Week]] |date= Jan 12, 2013}}</ref> while other studies show {{nowrap|22–42 dB}} reduction below [[Aircraft noise#Regulation|Stage 4 level]], depending on configuration.<ref name= burl>{{cite web| |
*Lower noise — NASA [[Auralization|audio simulations]] show a 15 [[Decibel |dB]] reduction of [[Boeing 777]]-class aircraft,<ref>{{cite web |last= Warwick |first= Graham |title= Hear This – The BWB is Quiet! |url= http://aviationweek.com/blog/hear-bwb-quiet |work= [[Aviation Week]] |date= Jan 12, 2013}}</ref> while other studies show {{nowrap|22–42 dB}} reduction below [[Aircraft noise#Regulation|Stage 4 level]], depending on configuration.<ref name= burl>{{cite web| first1 =Russell H. | last1 = Thomas | first2 = Casey L. | last2 = Burley | first3 = Erik D. | last3 = Olson|title=Hybrid Wing Body Aircraft System Noise Assessment With Propulsion Airframe Aeroacoustic Experiments|url=https://ntrs.nasa.gov/archive/nasa/casi.ntrs.nasa.gov/20100023399_2010025666.pdf|access-date=26 January 2013|year=2010}} [http://www.aeronautics.nasa.gov/pdf/asm_presentations_status_hwb_community.pdf Presentation]{{webarchive |url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130516232013/http://www.aeronautics.nasa.gov/pdf/asm_presentations_status_hwb_community.pdf |date=2013-05-16 }}</ref> |
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===Potential disadvantages=== |
===Potential disadvantages=== |
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*Evacuating a BWB in an emergency could be a challenge. Because of the aircraft's shape, the seating layout would be theater-style instead of tubular. This imposes inherent limits on the number of exit doors.<ref>{{cite |
*Evacuating a BWB in an emergency could be a challenge. Because of the aircraft's shape, the seating layout would be theater-style instead of tubular. This imposes inherent limits on the number of exit doors.<ref>{{cite book | first1 =E. R. | last1 = Galea |first2=L. |last2=Filippidis |first3=Z. |last3=Wang | first4 = P. J. | last4 = Lawrence |first5=J. |last5=Ewer | chapter = Evacuation Analysis of 1000+ Seat Blended Wing Body Aircraft Configurations: Computer Simulations and Full-scale Evacuation Experiment |year=2011 |title=Pedestrian and Evacuation Dynamics |chapter-url= https://page-one.springer.com/pdf/preview/10.1007/978-1-4419-9725-8_14 |pages=151–61 |doi= 10.1007/978-1-4419-9725-8_14 |isbn= 978-1-4419-9724-1 |s2cid = 55673992}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.evacmod.net/?q=node/2080 |first= Ed |last=Galea |title= Evacuation analysis of 1000+ seat Blended Wing Body aircraft configurations |type=video |website= Evacmod |access-date=August 25, 2015 }}</ref> |
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*It has been suggested that BWB interiors would be windowless;<ref name=":0" /> more recent information shows that windows may be positioned differently but involve the same weight penalties as a conventional aircraft.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web|last= Page|first=Mark|date=2018-09-14|title=Single-aisle Airliner Disruption with a single-deck blended-wing-body |url=https://www.icas.org/ICAS_ARCHIVE/ICAS2018/data/papers/ICAS2018_0390_paper.pdf|url-status=live| publisher = ICAS |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20181220185203/http://icas.org:80/ICAS_ARCHIVE/ICAS2018/data/papers/ICAS2018_0390_paper.pdf |archive-date=2018-12-20 }}</ref> |
*It has been suggested that BWB interiors would be windowless;<ref name=":0" /> more recent information shows that windows may be positioned differently but involve the same weight penalties as a conventional aircraft.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web|last= Page|first=Mark|date=2018-09-14|title=Single-aisle Airliner Disruption with a single-deck blended-wing-body |url=https://www.icas.org/ICAS_ARCHIVE/ICAS2018/data/papers/ICAS2018_0390_paper.pdf|url-status=live| publisher = ICAS |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20181220185203/http://icas.org:80/ICAS_ARCHIVE/ICAS2018/data/papers/ICAS2018_0390_paper.pdf |archive-date=2018-12-20 }}</ref> |
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*It has been suggested that passengers at the edges of the cabin may feel uncomfortable during wing roll;<ref name =":0">{{cite news |url= http://www.imeche.org/news/news-article/boeing-not-convinced-by-blended-wing-aircraft-design-16061502 |title= Boeing not convinced by blended wing aircraft design |date= June 16, 2015 |work= [[Institution of Mechanical Engineers]]}}</ref> however, passengers in large conventional aircraft like the 777 are equally susceptible to such roll.<ref name=":1" /> |
*It has been suggested that passengers at the edges of the cabin may feel uncomfortable during wing roll;<ref name =":0">{{cite news |url= http://www.imeche.org/news/news-article/boeing-not-convinced-by-blended-wing-aircraft-design-16061502 |title= Boeing not convinced by blended wing aircraft design |date= June 16, 2015 |work= [[Institution of Mechanical Engineers]]}}</ref> however, passengers in large conventional aircraft like the 777 are equally susceptible to such roll.<ref name=":1" /> |
Ablended wing body (BWB), also known as blended body, hybrid wing body (HWB) or a lifting aerofoil fuselage,[1] is a fixed-wing aircraft having no clear dividing line between the wings and the main body of the craft.[2] The aircraft has distinct wing and body structures, which are smoothly blended together with no clear dividing line.[3] This contrasts with a flying wing, which has no distinct fuselage, and a lifting body, which has no distinct wings. A BWB design may or may not be tailless.
The main advantage of the BWB is to reduce wetted area and the accompanying form drag associated with a conventional wing-body junction. It may also be given a wide airfoil-shaped body, allowing the entire craft to generate lift and thus reducing the size and drag of the wings.
The BWB configuration is used for both aircraft and underwater gliders.
In the early 1920s Nicolas Woyevodsky developed a theory of the BWB and, following wind tunnel tests, the Westland Dreadnought was built. It stalled on its first flight in 1924, severely injuring the pilot, and the project was cancelled. The idea was proposed again in the early 1940s for a Miles M.26 airliner project and the Miles M.30 "X Minor" research prototype was built to investigate it. The McDonnell XP-67 prototype interceptor also flew in 1944 but did not meet expectations. The 1944 Burnelli CBY-3 Loadmaster was a blended wing design intended for Canadian bush operations.[4]
NASA and McDonnell Douglas returned to the concept in the 1990s with an artificially stabilized 17-foot (5.2 m) model (6% scale) called BWB-17, built by Stanford University, which was flown in 1997 and showed good handling qualities.[5]: 16 From 2000 NASA went on to develop a remotely controlled research model with a 21-foot (6.4 m) wingspan.
NASA has also jointly explored BWB designs for the Boeing X-48 unmanned aerial vehicle.[6] Studies suggested that a BWB airliner carrying from 450 to 800 passengers could achieve fuel savings of over 20 percent.[5]: 21
Airbus is studying a BWB design as a possible replacement for the A320neo family. A sub-scale model flew for the first time in June 2019 as part of the MAVERIC (Model Aircraft for Validation and Experimentation of Robust Innovative Controls) programme, which Airbus hopes will help it reduce CO2 emissions by up to 50% relative to 2005 levels.[7]
The N3-X NASA concept uses a number of superconducting electric motors to drive the distributed fans to lower the fuel burn, emissions, and noise. The power to drive these electric fans is generated by two wingtip-mounted gas-turbine-driven superconducting electric generators. This idea for a possible future aircraft is called a "hybrid wing body" or sometimes a blended wing body. In this design, the wing blends seamlessly into the body of the aircraft, which makes it extremely aerodynamic and holds great promise for dramatic reductions in fuel consumption, noise and emissions. NASA develops concepts like these to test in computer simulations and as models in wind tunnels to prove whether the possible benefits would actually occur.[citation needed]
In 2020, Airbus presented a BWB concept as part of its ZEROe initiative and demonstrated a small-scale aircraft.[8][9] In 2022, Bombardier announced its EcoJet project.[9][10][better source needed] In 2023, California startup JetZero announced its Z5 project, designed to carry 250 passengers, targeting the New Midmarket Airplane category, expecting to use existing CFM International LEAPorPratt & Whitney PW1000G 35,000 lbf (160 kN) engines.[11][12] In August 2023, the U.S. Air Force announced a $235-million contract awarded over a four-year period to JetZero, culminating in first flight of the full-scale demonstrator by the first quarter of 2027. The goal of the contract is to demonstrate the capabilities of BWB technology, giving the Department of Defense and commercial industry more options for their future air platforms.[13][14]
Following this development, JetZero has received FAA clearance for test flights of its Pathfinder, a 'blended-wing' demonstrator plane designed to significantly reduce drag and fuel consumption. This innovative design could potentially lower emissions by 50%. Scheduled for full-scale development by 2030, JetZero plans to create variants for passengers, cargo, and military use. The project faces challenges in certification and integration with current airport infrastructures.[15]
The wide interior spaces created by the blending pose novel structural challenges. NASA has been studying foam-clad stitched-fabric carbon fiber composite skinning to create uninterrupted cabin space.[16]
The BWB form minimizes the total wetted area – the surface area of the aircraft skin, thus reducing skin drag to a minimum. It also creates a thickening of the wing root area, allowing a more efficient structure and reduced weight compared to a conventional craft. NASA also plans to integrate Ultra High Bypass (UHB) ratio jet engines with the hybrid wing body.[17]
A conventional tubular fuselage carries 12–13% of the total lift compared to 31–43% carried by the centerbody in a BWB, where an intermediate lifting-fuselage configuration better suited to narrowbody-sized airliners would carry 25–32% for a 6.1–8.2% increase in fuel efficiency.[18]
Type | Country | Class | Role | Date | Status | No. | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Airbus Maveric | Multinational | UAV | Experimental | 2019 | Prototype | 1 | [28][29] |
Boeing X-45 | US | UAV | Experimental | 2002 | Prototype | 2 | |
Boeing X-48 (C) | US | UAV | Experimental | 2013 | Prototype | 2 | Two engine |
Boeing X-48 (B) | US | UAV | Experimental | 2007 | Prototype | 2 | Three engine |
Lockheed A-12, M-21 and YF-12 | US | Jet | Reconnaissance | 1962 | Production | 18 | YF-12 was a prototype interceptor |
Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird | US | Jet | Reconnaissance | 1964 | Production | 32 | |
Northrop Grumman Bat | US | Prop/electric | Reconnaissance | 2006 | Production | 10 | |
McDonnell XP-67 | US | Propeller | Fighter | 1944 | Prototype | 1 | Aerofoil profile maintained throughout. |
McDonnell / NASA BWB-17 | US | UAV | Experimental | 1997 | Prototype | 1 | |
Miles M.30 | UK | Propeller | Experimental | 1942 | Prototype | 1 | |
Rockwell B-1 Lancer | US | Jet | Bomber | 1974 | Production | 104 | Variable-sweep wing |
Tupolev Tu-160 | USSR | Jet | Bomber | 1981 | Production | 36 | Variable-sweep wing |
Tupolev Tu-404 | Russia | Propeller | Airliner | 1991 | Project | 0 | One of two alternatives studied |
Westland Dreadnought | UK | Propeller | Transport | 1924 | Prototype | 1 | Mail plane. Aerofoil profile maintained throughout. |
A concept photo of a blended wing body commercial aircraft appeared in the November 2003 issue of Popular Science magazine.[30] Artists Neill Blomkamp and Simon van de Lagemaat from The Embassy Visual Effects created the photo for the magazine using computer graphics software to depict the future of aviation and air travel.[31] In 2006 the image was used in an email hoax claiming that Boeing had developed a 1000-passenger jetliner (the "Boeing 797") with a "radical Blended Wing design" and Boeing refuted the claim.[32][33][34]