The Right Stuff: First Flight of X-48B Blended Wing Body Aircraft Prototype

Published: July 28, 2007, 11:40 am

Tags: aircraft, blended wing body, boeing, nasa, plane, prototype, the right stuff, top, u s air force research laboratory, virtual presence, x 48b

Here's a pic of the new X-48B, Boeing's Blended Wing Body research aircraft in flight for the first time. The prototype, developed by Boeing Phantom Works with cooperation from NASA and the U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory, flew for 31 minutes, reaching an altitude of 7,500 feet. Check the sexy gallery and jump for more details about the BWB. Boeing is at it again with one of their fantabolous X-designated planes. The plane flew from NASA's Dryden Flight Research Center at Edwards Air Force Base in California. This X-48B is only the second prototype that Boeing has built and the only one tested in flight; it was created to test the "structural, aerodynamic and operational efficiencies of the BWB concept," according to Bob Liebeck, the BWB program manager, especially during take off and landing. BWB planes don't have a tail, the wing itself blends into the fuselage, giving more lift and less drag than a traditional circular fuselage. This means 30% less fuel consumption than a

[ Full article ]

Blog link

Rating: +1

Comments