Posted on 11/05/2006 3:02:59 PM PST by BenLurkin
EDWARDS AFB - Think of it as the aviation equivalent of a hybrid car. That's the analogy used to describe a new aircraft shape preparing for flight test at NASA Dryden Flight Research Center at Edwards Air Force Base.
The X-48B is a prototype scale model of a blended wing body aircraft, one engineers believe could produce a more fuel-efficient transport-type aircraft.
This unusually shaped aircraft design - described as a cross between a conventional aircraft and a flying wing - is believed to offer greater fuel efficiency by providing more lift and better aerodynamics.
The aircraft is shaped as an elongated triangle, with a smooth line from the fuselage extending out into the wings.
"It's a very efficient way of moving a large volume through the air," said Dryden project manager Gary Cosentino.
The program is a joint effort of The Boeing Co.'s Phantom Works and the Air Force, with engineering and flight test support from Dryden.
The design is expected to be 10% to 30% more fuel efficient than today's transport aircraft.
"This would do for airplanes what hybrid cars do on the road," said Norm Princen, chief engineer on the project for Boeing.
Made primarily of composite materials, the 8.5%-scale test model is 21 feet wide and weighs approximately 400 pounds. Intended for low-speed, low-altitude research flights, the three small turbojet engines produce a top speed of 138 mph. The vehicle has a maximum altitude of 10,000 feet.
(Excerpt) Read more at avpress.com ...
ping
One of the flying models was on display at the Edwards Air Show -- very cool!
Vincent J. Burnelli, please call the office!
ping
How'd it fly? Smoothly?
I bet this Lady pilot friend of mine would love to fly that thing
No doubt about it.
Have you seen it in flight? Why is it only now that blended wing designs are being made? Did they not have the proper materials before?
No. I haven't seen it.
The blended-wing body plane could change air cargo as we know it. It will be able to carry more cargo than even the 747-8F and fly from Memphis, TN to Tokyo non-stop at the same time. I think a lot of cargo airlines would line up to buy such a plane, that's to be sure.
Thanks for the ping. An interesting design concept. The basic idea goes back to the 1940's when designers began putting fillets between the body and wing to reduce drag.
Didn't see it in the air -- it was a static display.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.