Boeing X-48

The history of the Boeing X-48

The Hybrid Wing Body (BWB) concept in aircraft is just that - the fixed wing elements are neatly outlined with the fuselage, creating a sort of "flying wing" as there is no clear break between the fuselage and the main wing of the aircraft , and the plane lacks a true tail. The concept has many of the advantages of a flying wing, as more interior space means greater fuel storage and a larger surface area helps generate inherent lift.

Together, these qualities improve range and fuel efficiency compared to more traditionally designed aircraft. However, like any other design enterprise, the BWB aircraft faces unique technical challenges that have prompted prominent defense contractors to pursue the benefits of such aircraft through development platforms such as Boeing's "X-48B."

BWB aircraft have occupied the position of aeronautical engineers since the early 1920s, when the world was recovering from the First World War, in which aircraft became viable in mono-, bi-, and tri-plane forms military parts. From there, the concept evolved as the field's great thinkers and technology allowed it - straight wings gave way to swept wings and flush all-metal skins became the norm.

In the new century, Boeing's "Phantom Works", its special projects division, began to seek further development of what is known as the BWB, which gave birth to the X-48.

Previous work was done by McDonnell Douglas and added to Boeing's record following the merger of the two powerhouses in 1997. Boeing then worked with engineers at NASA's Langley Research Center to develop the X-48. In 1997, a prop-powered radio-controlled scale model of a BWB aircraft flew to sound proof of concept.

However, the initiative to include a 35-foot wingspan for the X-48A fell throughthe product was discontinued before any physical work could be done.

Next is the X-48B, which has a more modest wingspan of 20.4 feet. The B model is smaller than the expected A model and receives a large area principal plane swept along the leading edge. It has so much surface area that a real rear wing cannot be used. Instead, vertical planes are located on the wingtips of the main plane. A pseudo-cockpit is painted on the front of the fuselage, and three engine nacelles are mounted at the very end of the fuselage, housing JetCat P200 turbojets, each rated at 52 pounds of thrust.

A complete tricycle landing gear was installed, bringing the final design to a total weight of about 500 pounds. Composite materials were used wherever possible and the design was commissioned to Cranfield Aerospace UK.

The X-48B began testing in 2007 and made its maiden flight on July 20. Cranfield Aerospace was contracted to deliver two demonstrator aircraft ("Ship 1" and "Ship 2"). The X-48B can reach a top speed of 136 mph, a 40-minute battery life and a service cap of up to 10,000 feet.

Since its airborne, the X-48B has become a key component of Boeing Phantom Works' BWB research.

The future prospects of the X-48B are interesting - it is intended as a scale model version of a future full-scale aircraft. If certain technical issues can be addressed, the BWB design could serve the military and civilian markets well, and - perhaps more importantly - both services are not opposed to something radically different from conventionally laid-out aircraft. The inherent advantages of the BWB aircraft are intriguing to say the least, but it may take a lot of convincing to execute on the serial production commitments of facilities such as the U.S.

Air Force and major global passenger airlines. It can be seen that this kind of aircraft can effectively play the role of military heavy transport aircraft and civil long-distance transport aircraft.

Since the X-48B entered the testing phase, another model was introduced to the series - the X-48C. This entry became a modification of its predecessor, the X-48B, but was given a twin-engine layout designed to test quietness - good quality for a civilian personnel carrier, to be sure.

The X-48C made its maiden flight in August 2012 and completed its testing phase in April the following year.

Boeing plans to build larger planes in the series to continue work on its BWB design.

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