[Red Badger]

Aviation PING!.......................

[HamiltonJay]

I assume the main gain here is that the top of structure wings allow for them to be thinner as the structural attachments are now handled by the supports, rather than being integrated into the wing itself the wing, and therefor produce less drag.

Who knew the flying boxcar design would get applied to planes on this scale.

[Magnum44]

High wing design provides more lift thank conventional wing design.

Also provides a more stability, which is just fine for a commercial aircraft (not a fighter).

Large turbofan engines are already very fuel efficient, but new materials, etc, will help eek out some additional efficiencies.

Everything here makes good monetary sense except the stupid comment about getting to net zero. That wont happen unless we just stop traveling.

[isthisnickcool]

Boeing can pay for their own stuff....

[nascarnation]

Looks like it will make a kickin’ private jet....

[UNGN]

Just don’t fly it in winter.

[ProtectOurFreedom]

Those seats staring at the loud underwing engine and strut are going to be real desirable.

[1Old Pro]

"NASA is working toward an ambitious goal of developing game-changing technologies to reduce aviation energy use and emissions over the coming decades toward an aviation community goal of net-zero carbon emissions by 2050," said Bob Pearce, NASA associate administrator for the Aeronautics Research Mission Directorate.

What is NASA doing sticking their nose into this? And shouldn't we be at all concerned with the failing FAA computer technology?

[ProtectOurFreedom]

How does a maybe 5% improvement in fuel consumption make something “sustainable”? If we’re were going to run out of fuel in 100 years, this improvement means we get an extra 5 years before running out. That is not truly “sustainable.” It’s a small life extension for man.

[Chode]

wi a wing cord like that, it’s all engine keeping it aloft...

like to see the glide ratio

[dljordan]

Well, there goes some more borrowed money.

[TomEd]

Were the engineers able to wrestle control of the company away from the bean counters?

[pierrem15]

Those seats next to the engines must be reserved for deaf passengers.

[taildragger]

Some from research and my thoughts...

* High wings with 1 struts in the 200 mph club (Homebuilt Wittman Tailwind) pay a small drag penalty, however less weight, you can go with thinner wings and some say less interference drag with the fuselage.
*Their has been some R & D done on this config with the struts and yes their are benefits. IMHO the struts are possibly adding to the lift, they are not just structural.
* Think "Poor Man's Area Rule" to get the Fuselage width just right to reduce drag.
* It's even funkier with the airliners with the lower body they mount it on (Kind of what's on the top of the fuselage here)
* Notice the lower fuselage bulges for the main gear.
* My guess? Boeing blew it with the 737X not having the room without major changes to the wing to redesign the landing gear to accommodate the Pratt and Whitney Geared Turbofan for this class of aircraft, they will have all the room they need now...

[null and void]

With those thin skinny wings it had better be fuel efficient...

[Mr. Mohasky]

Hmmm.... with a larger wing span they will have to reconfigure the terminal gates at airports. They won’t be able to get as many planes into the terminal gates unless the wings are foldable?

[Revel]

All the new software will be designed and written in India.

[Boiler Plate]

NASA’s total yearly Federal budget is less than $25B. To give $425M to a single project is a big deal.

[Boiler Plate]

The lower truss adds lift. In a way it is a biplane.