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Boeing Transonic Truss-Braced Wing (TTBW)

2023 MODERN AIRCRAFT X-PLANE FUTURE FLIGHT

History of Boeing's Transonic Truss Braced Wing (TTBW)

Since 2010, Boeing, in collaboration with NASA aeronautical experts, has been developing an efficient, elevated wing form that has become the core of Boeing's Transonic Truss Supported Wing (TTBW) concept. An efficient alternative to modern monoplane designs, if proven successful, the wing could fly higher and faster than such models.

The TTBW has continued to evolve since it was first demonstrated and is likely to mark the future of powered flight in civil airspace.

Boeing's latest artist rendition of the aircraft for 2019 sees fuselage components and tails no different from existing 737s or MD-80s. The most notable difference is that the forward, shoulder-mounted, high aspect ratio, drag-reducing wing main aircraft is located high on the sides of the fuselage and further supported by truss planes on the lower sides of the fuselage.

Nacelle engines are installed on each main-wing aircraft - these can eventually function as hybrids for maximum fuel efficiency throughout the range. The flight deck and tricycle landing gear (retractable) are both common locations in Boeing jet airliner designs.

Currently (2019) mainstream aircraft have 170ft wingspan and ultra-thin chords for superior aerodynamic efficiency - so thin wings require the presence of load-bearing truss elements to use such slenderness wing. The truss section has a thicker chord near the fuselage and tapers towards the end where it meets the bottom of the main aircraft. Because they span more than conventional airliner wings, TTBW's mainline aircraft are said to have folded wings to better serve modern airport terminals.

The wing has been tested in a NASA wind tunnel.

The original TTBW design increased speeds in the Mach 0.70 to 0.75 range - an estimated allowable speed of 0.80 for the new wing.

Testing of subscale models will continue and progress through 2019, eventually paving the way for a full "X-Plane" product.