Boeing has announced plans to cancel the Boeing 737 program and launch the new 797 aircraft to replace it. The development work for the 797 has been quietly underway for some time, and the aircraft is expected to be certified this year with entry into service in 2045. The 797 is touted as a gamechanger, offering enhanced efficiency, improved environmental performance, increased passenger comfort, and reduced fuel use and emissions. The aircraft will have a 50 percent smaller noise footprint and up to 14 percent lower airframe maintenance costs than the competition. The CEO of Boeing, Dave Calhoun, stated that the 797 will help repair the trust lost due to the 737 MAX incidents. While many airlines are excited about the new aircraft, some are skeptical and question the 15 percent price increase over the MAX. The FAA has not yet certified the 797.
NASA and Boeing are collaborating on the development of the X-66, an experimental aircraft aimed at achieving net-zero aviation emissions by 2050. The X-66 will feature extra-long, thin wings stabilized by diagonal struts, known as the Transonic Truss-Braced Wing concept. This innovative design, combined with advancements in propulsion systems, materials, and systems architecture, could result in up to 30% less fuel consumption and reduced emissions compared to current aircraft. The project, called the Sustainable Flight Demonstrator, aims to build, test, and fly a full-scale X-66 demonstrator aircraft. The X-66 is part of NASA's Sustainable Flight National Partnership, which seeks to protect the environment, boost the U.S. economy, and introduce new innovations for travelers.
In addition to the X-66, NASA and Lockheed Martin have unveiled the X-59, a 'quiet supersonic' aircraft that aims to demonstrate supersonic flight without generating a disruptive sonic boom. The X-59 has been under development at Lockheed Martin Skunk Works following a $248 million grant from NASA in 2018. The X-59 is an experimental aircraft designed to fly faster than the speed of sound (925 MPH) while minimizing the sonic boom to a 'sonic thump.' It features an aerodynamic shape to break up shock waves and a forward-facing 4K screen called the eXternal Visibility System (XVS) in place of a traditional cockpit window. Integrated systems testing, engine runs, and taxi testing are planned before its first flight later this year. The X-59 represents a significant advancement in the technology for quiet supersonic flight, which is still years away from general use.
California-based aerospace start-up JetZero's Pathfinder aircraft recently secured the US FAA's Airworthiness certificate, paving the way for imminent test flights of the futuristic 1:8 scale 'blended wing body' demonstrator plane. The Pathfinder, featuring a 23-foot wingspan, is a scaled model of JetZero's ambitious vision for a full-size blended-wing Jetliner. The blended-wing concept prioritizes aerodynamic efficiency, resulting in improved lift generation and fuel economy. JetZero claims the Pathfinder promises exceptional performance, with claims of halving fuel consumption compared to similarly-sized commercial jets and reducing noise emissions significantly. Both Boeing and Airbus are exploring similar concepts. JetZero aims to introduce commercial service by 2030 and is developing a full-size prototype in collaboration with Northrop Grumman. The prototype will accommodate a similar number of passengers as a Boeing 767 and will have a wingspan comparable to that of an Airbus A330. JetZero was awarded a $235 million contract from the US Air Force last year and has secured funding from NASA's Sustainable Flight Demonstrator program. The blended wing concept has a rich history, and NASA has extensively studied its feasibility. Despite the design's effectiveness, transitioning to aircraft based on the blended wing design faces a significant technical challenge: pressurizing a non-cylindrical fuselage. JetZero aims to deliver an aircraft with the passenger capacity and range of a small widebody, utilizing engines from existing narrowbody planes. Building an entirely new aircraft from scratch poses significant challenges, including the lengthy certification process. The blended wing concept represents a tantalizing prospect for the future of air travel, albeit one requiring careful navigation of technical and regulatory hurdles.
A joint-venture research program between Gulfstream Aerospace and NASA's Dryden Flight Research Center called Project Quiet Spike aimed to soften the sonic booms of supersonic jets to develop civilian aircraft. The program successfully mitigated boom sound levels by over 35 dB compared to Concorde. Sonic booms generate large amounts of sound energy and may damage small structures, impacting people's well-being due to noise. The Federal Aviation Administration's regulations prohibit commercial aircraft from causing sonic booms above populated areas. The Quiet Spike program involved a specialized nose cone fairing attached to the forward fuselage of an F-15B aircraft. The program goal was to collect flight data to verify the spike structural dynamics and loads model up to Mach 1.8 and to validate the technical feasibility of a morphing fuselage. The first patented Quiet Spike sonic boom mitigater flight took place on October 22, 2006, achieving a major milestone. The Quiet Spike reduced boom sound levels by over 35 dB compared to Concorde's 94 dB boom sound. While this research is a step towards reducing sonic boom impact on overland flights, more tests are needed to understand the effects of airflow at the location of the air data probe and the angle-of-attack cone.
Boom Supersonic, a company specializing in supersonic jets, recently held a ribbon-cutting ceremony at its Overture Superfactory in Greensboro, North Carolina. The event marked a significant milestone in the development of supersonic jets that will cut travel time in half. The introduction of these jets is expected to have a profound impact on global business growth and provide more quality time for families. The economic benefits are substantial, with the company projected to bring in over $32.2 billion to the state of North Carolina over the next 20 years. Additionally, the project will create thousands of jobs, further boosting the local economy. The Overture Superfactory is designed to produce 33 supersonic airliners, and there are plans to build additional factories on the campus in Greensboro. This expansion will result in the creation of over 2,400 jobs by 2032. North Carolina was chosen as the site for the factory due to its strong manufacturing history, presence of universities, and talented workforce. The introduction of Boom Supersonic jets will not only revolutionize travel by enabling quicker business trips but also strengthen global business deals and have a positive impact on schools and the community. The jets are priced at $200 million each, and numerous airlines, including United and American, have already placed orders or preorders for approximately 100 jets. Test manufacturing will commence within the next six to 12 months, and the first jet is expected to take flight in approximately three years. The ultimate goal of Boom Supersonic is to make supersonic flight accessible to every passenger on every route, ushering in a new era of air travel. [cf96e739]