A rendering of the blended wing body prototype illustrates the aircraft’s shorter, wider fuselage. Courtesy of the U.S. Air Force.
Aug. 17 (UPI) — The U.S. Air Force has chosen JetZero to develop the next phase of a blended wing body aircraft prototype, a departure from traditional tube-and-wing designs.
“Blended wing body aircraft have the potential to greatly reduce fuel consumption and enhance global reach,” stated Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall in an official statement on Wednesday.
“Efficiently moving forces and cargo over long distances is a critical capability for national security strategy.”
Kathleen Hicks, Deputy Defense Secretary, commented in a statement on Thursday that the blended wing body aircraft is projected to achieve fuel savings of 30% compared to traditional aircraft.
These savings could help the Air Force mitigate logistical risks and enhance flight range, loiter time, and offload capabilities.
“A successful BWB would be advantageous for the department, our warfighters, the U.S. aerospace industry, and the American taxpayer,” Hicks stated. “We eagerly anticipate the prototype’s unveiling as early as 2027.”
The Air Force highlighted that standard military transport aircraft account for 60% of its annual jet fuel consumption, underscoring the need to reduce fuel usage.
JetZero, on its website, expects the aircraft to be launched by 2030 and to run on sustainable aviation fuel. The company is collaborating with the Air Force, NASA, and the Federal Aviation Administration.
JetZero describes its aircraft as having “dramatically improved aerodynamic efficiency compared to traditional tube designs,” eliminating the need for tail surfaces and reducing complexity.
“The blended fuselage design, resembling wings, minimizes surface area, resulting in a lighter aircraft with reduced drag,” JetZero explained.
“The beauty of efficiency is its compounding effect. With lower drag and weight, engine size is reduced, further reducing drag and weight.”
The Air Force acknowledged that blended wing body aircraft concepts have been around for several decades, but recent advancements in structural design, materials technology, manufacturing, and other areas have made large-scale production feasible.
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