Projection - NASA
NASA is eager to go back to school concept aircraft, the X-Plane project will involve new aerodynamics and engine of methods in which you can reduce fuel consumption per seat up to 50%. The project, which is targeting to last 10 years, is to reduce the time required to implement the advanced technology and revolutionary designs in American industry.
One of the first X-Plane is set to be an aircraft wing body in hybrid format in which the fuselage part from the body and reduce drag in flight. The forecast is that this type of aircraft fly at the same speed of 747 by example, but with greater efficiency in the category aerodynamic drag. The engines would then be located above the body of the aircraft, on the back, while all the weight of passengers and load concentrates on the front.
"This is an exciting time for the entire NASA team and for those who benefit aviation, which, frankly, is all," said Shin. "With this project with 10-year to accelerate the transformation of aviation, the United States can maintain its world-leading status aviation for many years."
In the past decade, NASA and its partners have studied the performance and benefits of the hybrid wing configuration, using computers, wind tunnels and testing unmanned drones (see Lockheed X-56 ). A large amount of data was collected and NASA team is now able to start the manufacturing processes and use.
In addition to the hybrid wing, NASA working on other technologies such as lattice wing, wings with flaps and tail V-shaped According to the agency, the advance of technology over the years has resulted in a more efficient Fly By Wire, allowing performing said initially unstable designs, but which can be controlled by an advanced set of flight computers and software.
Details of NASA's plan to reach your goal are explained in the application of the federal budget, recently launched by President Barack Obama for the fiscal year beginning on October 1, 2016. If approved, the next year will be hard work NASA to work on the reduction of fuel use, emissions of pollutants and noise, it will be possible in the near future, according to the agency.