This is What the Future Airliners Will Probably Look Like

#2 – Boeing Blended Wing Body Airliner

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Boeing engineers are working on something totally different from their typical designs. This time, instead of the fuselage-and-wing design, they are planning a blended-wing aircraft! In the blended-wing design, the distinction between the fuselage and wings is removed, making the two parts flow into one another.

Researchers from both Boeing and NASA have started experimenting blended wings for military and commercial purposes. The two parties built the X-48, an airplane with a blended-wing design, to test the aerodynamic possibilities.

The tests were actually successful, demonstrating that the X-48 is remarkably quieter, with brilliant fuel efficiency and a high payload. Boeing is considering a military application for this concept mainly for aerial refueling and airlift purposes, while NASA is looking at developing airliners’ prototypes for civilian applications within about 20 years.

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