US company contracted to build first full-scale modern blended wing-body aircraft

Published on August 19, 2023

US sustainable aviation startup JetZero has secured a $235 million contract from the US Air Force (USAF) to design and build a full-scale blended wing-body (BWB) demonstrator aircraft, a first of its kind. The contract was placed by the Defence Innovation Unit of the US Department of Defense, with the demonstrator aiming to validate the performance of the BWB concept. This design sits between traditional aircraft with distinct fuselages and flying wings without fuselages, offering increased fuel efficiency and payload capacity. JetZero is collaborating with Northrop Grumman and Scaled Composites, and the BWB demonstrator will use existing systems and Pratt & Whitney GTF high-bypass geared turbofans. The concept holds potential for next-gen strategic transport, air-to-air refueling, and reconnaissance aircraft for the USAF.

Link to the full article: US company contracted to build first full-scale modern blended wing-body aircraft (engineeringnews.co.za)

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