Boeing/NASA's X-48B Blended-Wing-Body model ready for flight testing

California, USA: A scaled down model of Boeing's X-48B blended-wing-body (BWB) experimental aircraft may be ready for its first test flight, according to a CNN business report. According to the report, the scale model should take to the air by the end of this month at Edwards Air Force Base in California.

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.