USAF to develop Blended Wing Body aircraft prototype
On 16 August 2023, the Department of the Air Force (DAF) selected the JetZero Company for the next phase of a Blended Wing Body (BWB) prototype aircraft project.
With a design that differs from a traditional tube-and-wing aircraft, the BWB blends the aircraft body into its high-aspect-ratio wing, decreasing aerodynamic drag by at least 30% and providing additional lift. This increased efficiency will enable extended range, more loiter time, and increased payload delivery efficiencies, capabilities that are vital to mitigating logistics risks.
For the USAF, several military transport configurations are possible with the BWB.
As outlined in the fiscal year 2023 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), the Department of Defense (DoD) plans to invest USD 235 million over the next four years to fast-track the development of this transformational dual-use technology, with additional private investment expected. The effort is the result of collaboration between the USAF, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), and the Defense Innovation Unit, with assistance from the DoD’s Office of Strategic Capital.
This latest announcement marks another game-changing milestone for the USAF in their efforts to maintain the advantage of airpower effectiveness against any future competitors. While the BWB concept has been around for decades, more recent technology advancements in structural design, materials technology, manufacturing, and other areas have made large-scale production achievable.
A BWB, also known as a blended body, Hybrid Wing Body (HWB) or a lifting aerofoil fuselage, is a fixed-wing aircraft with no clear dividing line between the wings and the main body of the fuselage. JetZero, in close cooperation with the USAF, will develop an ultra-efficient BWB with unprecedented performance. Besides working with the USAF, NASA and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) are also involved. While the USAF expects completion of initial flight testing as early as 2027, BWB's entry-into-service is expected by 2030.
Artist images: USAF/ JetZero