Boeing X-48

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The X-48 is an experimental aircraft currently under development by Boeing and NASA for investigation into the characteristics of Blended Wing Body aircraft, a type of flying wing.

Computer-generated model of the NASA BWB.

The Boeing Phantom Works is currently developing the Blended Wing Body (BWB) aircraft concept in cooperation with the NASA Langley Research Center. In a continuing effort to study the flight characteristics of the BWB design, a small remote controlled model has been successfully flown. The next step was to fly the X-48 in 2004, which was to be built at NASA Langley, but that program was cancelled. Boeing Phantom Works is currently working on a pair of 21-foot wingspan models (dubbed the X-48B) that are being built by Cranfield Aerospace (UK). Flight tests are scheduled for the later part of 2006. The United States Air Force is also involved in the project.

The Economist wrote the following in an article in June 2006: "Boeing once toyed with a blended wing-body, a sort of flying wing, to produce dramatically better aerodynamics and fuel efficiency. Passengers would have sat in a wide cabin, rather like a small amphitheatre. But tests with a mock-up produced such a negative reaction that the company dropped the technology, except for military refuelling aircraft."[link]

The BWB concept reportedly offers greater structural, aerodynamic and operating efficiencies than today's more conventional tube-and-wing designs. Its modular design also allows for center body growth while maintaining common wings. These features translate into greater range, fuel economy, reliability and life cycle savings, as well as lower manufacturing costs. They also allow for a wide variety of potential military and commercial applications.

The two X-48B prototypes were built for Phantom Works by Cranfield Aerospace Ltd. in the United Kingdom in accordance with Boeing's requirements and specifications.

American X-planes
Bell X-1 Bell X-2 Starbuster Douglas X-3 Stiletto Northrop X-4 Bantam Bell X-5 Convair X-6 Lockheed X-7 Aerojet General X-8 Bell X-9 Shrike North American X-10	Convair X-11 Convair X-12 Ryan X-13 Vertijet Bell X-14 North American X-15 Bell X-16 Lockheed X-17 Hiller X-18 Curtiss-Wright X-19 Boeing X-20 Dyna-Soar	Northrop X-21 Bell X-22 Martin-Marietta X-23 Martin-Marietta X-24 Bensen X-25 Schweizer X-26 Frigate Lockheed X-27 Lancer Pereira X-28 Sea Skimmer Grumman X-29 Rockwell X-30	Rockwell-MBB X-31 Boeing X-32 Lockheed Martin X-33 Orbital Sciences X-34 Lockheed Martin X-35 McDonnell Douglas X-36 Boeing X-37 NASA X-38 AFRL X-39 Boeing X-40	USAF X-41 Common Aero Vehicle USAF X-42 Pop-Up Upper Stage Boeing X-43 Lockheed Martin X-44 MANTA Boeing X-45 Boeing X-46 Northrop Grumman X-47 Pegasus Boeing X-48 Sikorsky Piasecki X-49 Boeing X-50 Dragonfly Boeing X-51

External links

• Most of the above text came from: [NASA publication "American X-Vehicles - An Inventory - X-1 to X-50", SP-2003-4531 - June 2003 NASA online PDF Monograph]

• [blended wing body]

• [The Blended Wing Body - NASA Facts]

• [Recent article (May 30th, 2006) on program status and Cranfield's involvement]

• [Boeing Phantom Works to Lead Research on X-48B Blended Wing Body Concept] Boeing Press Release, May 04, 2006

References

• Coppinger, Rob (Nov. 22, 2005). "X-48B scale model to fly next year". Flight International Magazine.

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