The X-48B

1 minute read
By TIME

NASA, Boeing and the U.S. Air Force are teaming up to develop a Blended-Wing Body aircraft for the military

Unique Lines

The X-48B lacks the traditional tube and wing shape which has been the hallmark of aircraft design for the last 100 years.Robert Ferguson / Boeing

Test Flight

The X-48B soars over Edwards Air Force Base in August. During the test, the plane was piloted remotely by engineers on the ground.Carla Thomas

Wind Tunnel

At NASA's Langley Research Center in Hampton, Virginia, an 8.5 percent scale model of the X-48B is tested for its stability and control.Boeing

Free Flight Test

In this experiment, a model of the aircraft is suspended by a tether, while three pilots in a control room operate the controls.

Inspection

The wingspan of this prototype of the aircraft measures 21 feet.Boeing

Into the Future

Researchers believe that the unique design of the X-48B will save 30 percent more fuel over contemporary aircraft of similar size and weight. It could see service some time in the next ten to fifteen years.Robert Ferguson / Boeing

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