Boeing/NASA's X-48B Blended-Wing-Body model ready for flight testing
15 Mar 2007
The aircraft has long been under development as a joint program involving NASA, the US Air Force and Boeing's Phantom Works. The blended-wing concept entails the creation of an aerodynamic shape that removes the need for a conventional tail in the aircraft. This reduces drag and dramatically improves fuel efficiency.
According to project estimates, a military version of the aircraft is slated to be under production by 2022, with a passenger version following by 2030.
So far two scale models have been built for the purposes of wind tunnel and flight-testing. These tests are geared towards learning more about the low-speed flight-control characteristics of the BWB concept.
According to engineers from Boeing's Phantom Works the X-48B prototypes are being used to demonstrate that a BWB is as controllable and safe during takeoff, approach and landing as a conventional military transport airplane. The BWB is being developed to play a cost effective role as a tanker, weapons carriage and command and control aircraft.