Blended wing body

Aircraft design with no clear divide between fuselage and wing

A rendering of the US Air Force blended wing body aircraft project

A blended 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.

## History

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The N3-X NASA concept

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]

### 2020s

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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 LEAP or Pratt & 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]

California company Natilus announced the development of two BWB aircraft targeting the narrowbody market: a regional cargo aircraft, KONA, which can carry a payload of 3.8 metric tons and has a range of 900 nautical miles.[16][17] Made of carbon fibre and fibreglass composites, KONA can be optionally piloted[17] and is powered by jet engines developed by Pratt & Whitney.[18] Natilus’s first passenger aircraft, the HORIZON,[19] can carry a payload of 25 tons[20] with a range of 3,500 nautical miles.[21] The aircraft can carry up to 200 passengers.[22][23] Natilus’s innovative BWB design is expected to lower carbon emissions by 50%,[24] increase payload by 40%[24] and reduce fuel consumption by 30% compared to tube-and-wing aircraft today.[19][22][25]

## Characteristics

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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.[26]

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.[27]

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.[28]

Spectrum of aircraft design concepts. From left to right: conventional airliner (Boeing 757), blended wing body (B-1 Lancer), flying wing with bulged fairings (B-2 Spirit), and almost clean flying wing (Northrop YB-49) and Lifting body (M2-F1).

### Potential advantages

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* Significant payload advantages in strategic airlift, air freight,[29] and aerial refueling roles
* Increased fuel efficiency — 10.9% better than a conventional widebody,[28] to over 20% than a comparable conventional aircraft.[30] A 2022 US Air Force report shows a BWB "increases aerodynamic efficiency by at least 30% over current air force tanker and mobility aircraft".[31]
* Lower noise — NASA audio simulations show a 15 dB reduction of Boeing 777-class aircraft,[32] while other studies show 22–42 dB reduction below Stage 4 level, depending on configuration.[2]

### Potential disadvantages

[edit]

* 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.[33][34]
* It has been suggested that BWB interiors would be windowless;[35] more recent information shows that windows may be positioned differently but involve the same weight penalties as a conventional aircraft.[36]
* It has been suggested that passengers at the edges of the cabin may feel uncomfortable during wing roll;[35] however, passengers in large conventional aircraft like the 777 are equally susceptible to such roll.[36]
* The center wingbox needs to be tall to be used as a passenger cabin, requiring a larger wing span to balance out.[37]
* A BWB has more empty weight for a given payload, and may not be economical for short missions of around four or fewer hours.[37]
* A larger wing span may be incompatible with some airport infrastructure, requiring folding wings similar to the Boeing 777X.
* It is more expensive to modify the design to create differently-sized variants compared to a conventional fuselage and wing which can be stretched or shrunk easily.[37]
* Pitch control and lift capability at low speed have presented challenges for blended-wing designs. JetZero has proposed a novel landing gear design to address these issues for its Z-5 BWB concept.[11]

## List of blended wing body aircraft

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The Northrop BAT UAV in flight from below Type | Country | Class | Role | Date | Status | No. | Notes

|
|
|
|
|
|
|

Airbus Maveric | Multinational | UAV | Experimental | 2019 | Prototype | 1 | [38][39]
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 |
Natilus HORIZON | US | Jet | Transport | 2024 | Prototype | 1 |
Natilus KONA | US | Propeller | Transport | 2019 | 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.

## In popular culture

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### Popular Science concept art

[edit]

Image of the "Boeing 797" from Popular Science, 2003

A concept photo of a blended wing body commercial aircraft appeared in the November 2003 issue of Popular Science magazine.[40] 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.[41] 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.[42][43][44]

## See also

[edit]

* Aurora D8
* Flying-V jet
* List of flying wings
* Lifting body
* Silent Aircraft Initiative, a BWB study

## References

[edit]

1. ^ Wragg, David W. (1973). A Dictionary of Aviation (first ed.). Osprey. p. 177\. ISBN 978-0-85045-163-4.
2. ^ a b Thomas, Russell H.; Burley, Casey L.; Olson, Erik D. (2010). "Hybrid Wing Body Aircraft System Noise Assessment With Propulsion Airframe Aeroacoustic Experiments" (PDF). Retrieved 26 January 2013. PresentationArchived 2013-05-16 at the Wayback Machine
3. ^ Crane, Dale. Dictionary of Aeronautical Terms, third edition. Newcastle, Washington: Aviation Supplies & Academics, 1997. ISBN 1-56027-287-2. p. 224.
4. ^ Bridgman, Leonard, ed. (1947). Jane's all the World's Aircraft 1947. London: Sampson Low, Marston & Co. pp. 96c – 97c.
5. ^ a b Liebeck, R.H. (January–February 2004). "Design of the Blended Wing Body Subsonic Transport" (PDF). Journal of Aircraft. 41 (1): 10–25\. doi:10.2514/1.9084.
6. ^ "A flight toward the future." Archived December 4, 2012, at the Wayback Machine Boeing, August 7, 2012 Retrieved: November 23, 2012.
7. ^ Reim, Garrett (11 February 2020). "Airbus studies blended-wing airliner designs to slash fuel burn". Flight Global.
8. ^ "Airbus reveals new zero emission concept aircraft" (Press release). Airbus. 21 September 2020.
9. ^ a b Kevin Michaels (June 1, 2023). "Opinion: Why It Is Time For The Blended Wing Body". Aviation Week.
10. ^ Verdon, Michael (May 30, 2023). "Bombardier's New Blended-Wing 'EcoJet' Cuts Emissions by 50%—and It's Hitting the Skies Soon". Robb Report.
11. ^ a b Norris, Guy; Warwick, Graham (21 April 2023). "JetZero Unveils Midmarket Airliner And Air Force Tanker BWB Plan". aviationweek.com. Retrieved 17 August 2023.
12. ^ Roza, David (May 2, 2023). "As USAF Considers a Blended-Wing Body Tanker, New Startup Reveals Its Concept". Air & Space Forces Magazine.
13. ^ Marrow, Michael (16 August 2023). "Air Force picks startup JetZero to build blended wing body demonstrator". breakingdefense.com. Retrieved 17 August 2023.
14. ^ Alcock, Charles (16 August 2023). "JetZero's blended-wing body aircraft boosted by U.S. Air Force contract". futureflight.aero. Retrieved 17 August 2023.
15. ^ Prisco, Jacopo (2024-04-04). "JetZero: Groundbreaking 'blended-wing' demonstrator plane cleared to fly". CNN. Retrieved 2024-04-14.
16. ^ "Nolinor Aviation to acquire multiple cargo aircraft from Natilus". Canadian Manufacturing. 2025-02-04. Retrieved 2025-03-10.
17. ^ a b Weitering, Hanneke (2025-02-04). "Canadian Airline Nolinor Orders Kona Cargo Freighters". AIN Online. Retrieved 2025-03-10.
18. ^ Crider, Andrew (August 23, 2022). "Natilus selects P&W engines for first autonomous cargo aircraft". Cargo Facts.
19. ^ a b "Natilus Debuts its New Passenger Aircraft "Horizon" to Decarbonize Global Commercial Aviation" (Press release). Natilus. October 23, 2024.
20. ^ Gardiner, Ginger (2024-10-30). "Natilus announces Horizon blended wing body CFRP aircraft for 200-passenger narrowbody market". CompositesWorld. Retrieved 2025-03-10.
21. ^ Hardee, Howard (2024-11-20). "Developer Natilus unveils 200-seat aircraft concept to challenge tube-and-wing supremacy". FlightGlobal. Retrieved 2025-03-10.
22. ^ a b Prisco, Jacopo (2024-11-01). "'Horizon' plane's innovative shape promises greener flights and added comfort". CNN. Retrieved 2025-03-10.
23. ^ Alcock, Charles (2024-10-23). "Natilus Reveals Plan For 200-Seat Blended Wing Body Airliner". AINOnline. Retrieved 2025-03-10.
24. ^ a b Mirza, Zoya (2024-10-23). "Aerospace company Natilus unveils low emissions commercial aircraft". ESG Dive. Retrieved 2025-03-10.
25. ^ Rains, Taylor (2024-10-25). "'Startup CEO shares his plan for a radical 'blended wing' jet to rival Boeing and Airbus". Business Insider. Retrieved 2025-03-10.
26. ^ Bullis, Kevin (January 24, 2013). "NASA has demonstrated a manufacturing breakthrough that will allow hybrid wing aircraft to be scaled up". MIT Technology Review.
27. ^ Braukus, Michael; Barnstorff, Kathy (Jan 7, 2013). "NASA's Green Aviation Research Throttles Up Into Second Gear". NASA. Retrieved Jan 26, 2013.
28. ^ a b Warwick, Graham (Aug 22, 2016). "Finding Ultra-Efficient Designs For Smaller Airliners". Aviation Week & Space Technology.
29. ^ Warwick, Graham (21 May 2007). "Boeing works with airlines on commercial blended wing body freighter". Flight Global. Retrieved 2023-02-12.
30. ^ "Blended Wing Body Fact Sheet". NASA. Retrieved 2021-05-17.
31. ^ Finnerty, Ryan (2022-10-12). "US Air Force to test blended-wing logistics aircraft by 2027". Flight Global. Retrieved 2023-02-12.
32. ^ Warwick, Graham (Jan 12, 2013). "Hear This – The BWB is Quiet!". Aviation Week.
33. ^ Galea, E. R.; Filippidis, L.; Wang, Z.; Lawrence, P. J.; Ewer, J. (2011). "Evacuation Analysis of 1000+ Seat Blended Wing Body Aircraft Configurations: Computer Simulations and Full-scale Evacuation Experiment". Pedestrian and Evacuation Dynamics. pp. 151–61\. doi:10.1007/978-1-4419-9725-8_14. ISBN 978-1-4419-9724-1. S2CID 55673992.
34. ^ Galea, Ed. "Evacuation analysis of 1000+ seat Blended Wing Body aircraft configurations". Evacmod (video). Retrieved August 25, 2015.
35. ^ a b "Boeing not convinced by blended wing aircraft design". Institution of Mechanical Engineers. June 16, 2015.
36. ^ a b Page, Mark (2018-09-14). "Single-aisle Airliner Disruption with a single-deck blended-wing-body" (PDF). ICAS. Archived (PDF) from the original on 2018-12-20.
37. ^ a b c "Don't look for commercial BWB airplane any time soon, says Boeing's future airplanes head". Leeham News. April 3, 2018.
38. ^ "Airbus reveals its blended wing aircraft demonstrator". Airbus (Press release). Singapore. 11 February 2020. Retrieved 2023-02-12.
39. ^ Caroline Delbert (2020-02-13). "Will People Fly In This 'Blended Wing' Airplane? Airbus Built a Prototype To Find Out". Popular Mechanics. Retrieved 2023-02-12.
40. ^ "The Future of Flight". Popular Science. Vol. 263, no. 5\. Bonnier Corporation. November 2003. pp. 83–86.
41. ^ "Future Flight: A Gallery of the Next Century in Aviation". Popular Science. 2003-10-16. Retrieved 2023-02-12.
42. ^ "New Boeing 797 Giant "Blended Wing" Passenger Airliner-Fiction!". TruthOrFiction.com. March 17, 2015.
43. ^ Christensen, Brett M. (April 19, 2012). "Boeing 797 Hoax". Hoax-Slayer. Archived from the original on 2012-04-23.
44. ^ Baseler, Randy. "Air mail." Boeing blogs: Randy's Journal, November 1, 2006. Retrieved: November 22, 2012.

## Further reading

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* Al Bowers (Sep 16, 2000). "Blended-wing-body: Design challenges for the 21st century". The Wing is The Thing. Archived from the original on 2002-12-01.
* V. Mukhopadhyay (April 2005). Blended-Wing-Body (BWB) Fuselage Structural Design for Weight Reduction (PDF). 46th AIAA/ASME/ASCE/AHS/ASC Structures, Structural Dynamics and Materials Conference. NASA Technical Reports Server.
* "'Blended wing' craft passes wind-tunnel tests". New Scientist. 14 November 2005.
* "'Silent aircraft': How it works". BBC. 6 November 2006.
* R. Vos; F.J.J.M.M. Geuskens; M.F.M. Hoogreef (April 2012). "A New Structural Design Concept for Blended Wing Body Cabins". 53rd AIAA/ASME/ASCE/AHS/ASC Structures, Structural Dynamics and Materials Conference. Archived from the original on 2018-07-22.
* A Blended Wing Body Concept. AVD20112012. May 4, 2012. Archived from the original on 2021-12-21 – via YouTube.
* "X-48 Highlights". NASA. Apr 18, 2013. Archived from the original on July 8, 2017. Retrieved February 1, 2011.
* Jörg Fuchte; Till Pfeiffer; Pier Davide Ciampa; Björn Nagel; Volker Gollnick (September 2014). "Optimization of revenue space of a blended wing body" (PDF). 29th Congress of the International Council of the Aeronautical Sciences (ICAS 2014).

## External links

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* FUTURE HIGHLY INTEGRATED MILITARY PROPULSION SYSTEMS