NASA, Boeing Unveil New ‘Future Of Aviation’ Aircraft For Eco-Friendly Flights
With the aviation industry heading towards a future of eco-friendly flights, NASA and Boeing have joined forces to create a fitting innovation through the agency’s Sustainable Flight Demonstrator project, dubbed the X-66A.
The aircraft, which is currently just in the experimental stage, reimagines a new generation of single-aisle aircraft. According to NASA Administrator Bill Nelson, the X-66A will “help shape the future of aviation” in a new era of flying that’s “greener, cleaner, and quieter.”
This landmark innovation is the first X-plane designed specifically to help the United States achieve its goal of net-zero aviation greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, which President Joe Bide first outlined in the White House’s US Aviation Climate Action Plan.
Interestingly, the US Air Force had a hand in the project as well, providing the designation for the Transonic Truss-Braced Wing configuration that, when combined with other technological advancements in the aircraft, could reduce fuel consumption by up to 30%.
.@NASA's eyes are fixated on the sky. The Sustainable Flight Demonstrator builds on our world-leading efforts in aeronautics as well climate.
— Bill Nelson (@SenBillNelson) June 13, 2023
The X-66A will help shape the future of aviation, a new era where aircraft are greener, cleaner, and quieter. https://t.co/znA7JdT2dO
Going forward, Boeing will work with NASA to build, test, and fly a full-scale demonstration of the X-66A that will feature the Transonic Truss-Braced Wings, made up of extra-long, thin wings stabilized by diagonal struts.
“At NASA, our eyes are not just focused on stars but also fixated on the sky. The Sustainable Fight Demonstrator builds on NASA’s world-leading efforts in aeronautics as well as climate,” remarked Nelson.
“To reach our goal of net-zero aviation emissions by 2050, we need transformative aircraft concepts like the ones we’re flying on the X-66A,” added Bob Pearce, Associate Administrator for NASA’s Aeronautics Research Mission Directorate.
“With this experimental aircraft, we’re aiming high to demonstrate the kinds of energy-saving, emissions-reducing technologies the industry needs,” he added.
[via Inceptive Mind and Popular Science, cover image via NASA]
