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The NASA and Boeing will produce the test plane called X-66A, which will seek to reduce emissions from the airline industry.
The new X-plane seeks to create a possible new generation of single-aisle aircraft more sustainable, the workhorse of passenger airlines around the world. In collaboration with the NASA, Boeing will build, will test and fly a full-scale demonstration aircraft with extra-long, thin wings stabilized by diagonal struts, known as concept Transonic Truss-Braced Wing.
The future is in the NASA X-66A
The X-66A is the first X-plane specifically focused on helping the USA to achieve the goal of net zero greenhouse gas emissions from the aviation, that was articulated in the Aviation Climate Action Plan of the USA of the white house.
Boeing and NASA will collaborate with US airlines to advise the sustainable flight demonstration project (SFD) and the development of the X-66A research aircraft. As part of a new sustainability coalition, Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Southwest Airlines and United Airlines will provide information on operational efficiency, maintenance, handling features and airport compatibility.
The airlines of USA provide feedback throughout the project, including:
- Design: participating airlines will share feedback on sustainable operations and airport compatibility. Although the X-66A will have a wingspan of 145 pies, the TTBW design could be used by aircraft of different sizes and missions and can benefit from folding wingtips to fit existing airport infrastructure.
- Simulation and laboratory tests: airline pilots will have the opportunity to experience the X-66A through a flight simulator and evaluate the handling characteristics of the vehicle.
- flight tests: the airline's operations and maintenance teams will evaluate the X-66A as modifications are made to the aircraft. Flight tests are scheduled for 2028 and 2029 at the NASA Armstrong Flight Research Center at Edwards Air Force Base.
For the X-66A, the USAF provided an aircraft designation validating technologies for a Transonic armor-strengthened wing configuration that, when combined with other powertrain advancements, materials and systems architecture, could result in up to 30% any less fuel consumption and reduced emissions compared to the best aircraft in its current class.
Due to its intensive use, single-aisle aircraft today account for nearly half of global aviation emissions. Creating designs and technologies for a more sustainable version of this type of aircraft has the potential to have a profound impact on emissions..
NASA's history with the X-plane designation dates back to the 1950s. 1940, when its predecessor agency, the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA), jointly created an experimental aircraft program with the Air Force and Navy. The X-66A is the latest in a long line of NASA X-planes..
For the Sustainable Flight Demonstrator, the NASA has a Funded Space Law Agreement with Boeing through which the agency will invest $ 425 million over seven years, while the company and its partners will contribute the rest of the funds, estimated at around $725 millions. NASA will also contribute technical expertise and facilities..
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