Researchers at Northwestern Polytechnical University in China are working on a futuristic new type of aircraft: Project BWB-300 is reminiscent of the American “stealth bomber” B2, but is intended to carry cargo and passengers.
Recently – see video – a full-scale prototype took off for the first time in Shaanxi province, with which the researchers, together with the commercial aircraft manufacturer Comac, tested the aerodynamic properties, among other things. The completed aircraft will be ten times larger and will be able to carry 300 people.
Mixed wing aircraft
According to the technology portal Golem.de, the special thing about the aircraft is its design: The BWB-300 relies on the so-called “blended wing body” concept. Simply put, this means that the plane is not a tube with wings on it, but that the fuselage merges into the wings. This is reminiscent of flying wings like the B2 bomber – with a larger fuselage and more stowage space.
The design promises more space for passengers, but also more efficiency when getting in and out. According to the scientists, all passengers could disembark in just 90 seconds from the extra-wide airliner in a configuration with 16 seats per row and eight exits in the lower fuselage.
More efficiency at a lower speed
The BWB concept must also operate very quietly and efficiently with the motors placed between the tail unit. However, a drawback of the design is that the highest efficiency is achieved at lower speeds, which may mean that you travel more slowly than with a “normal” airliner.
Such designs are not only explored in China. In the US there are similar tests with the X-48 project of aircraft manufacturer Boeing, in which NASA is also involved. At Boeing, mixed-wing aircraft are primarily seen as having potential in the air cargo business.
Source: Krone
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