Message posted by Vahe Demirjian (Member since 04/28/2022) on August 16, 2023 at 20:32:22 PST:
The JetZero/Northrop Grumman team picked by the US Air Force to build a full-scale technology demonstrator for a blended wing body aircraft will be significant because it is the first time that Northrop Grumman, historically acquainted with flying wing designs, will take part in fabricating a tailless aircraft for non-combat roles other than reconnaissance. The XBW-1 tech demonstrator to be built by JetZero and Northrop Grumman could be designated either X-52 or X-58, just as the Boeing subscale BWB technology demonstrator was designated X-48, and if flight tests of the XBW-1 are successful, Northrop Grumman and JetZero could develop a family of Z-5 variants including:
- An long-range tanker aircraft to replace the KC-10
- A strategic airlifter to replace the C-5 Galaxy
- A 410 foot wingspan commercial freighter with four turbofans optimized for operations from small airfields with almost no concrete runways near freight depots
- A 345 foot wingspan passenger airliner to complement the 747-8, 777 and A380
- A 150 foot wingspan passenger airliner optimized for the "middle of the market" category
In Reply to: Re: Northrop/JetZero Z5 Blended Wing Body collaboration posted by Joerg (Webmaster) on August 16, 2023 at 13:14:51 PST:
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