The Sustainable Flight Demonstrator project, a joint effort between NASA and Boeing, has been named the X-66A by the U.S. Air Force. The goal of this project is to create a more eco-friendly single-aisle aircraft design, in line with the objective of achieving net-zero aviation greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. On Monday, NASA and Boeing announced that the aircraft created through this project has been officially designated as the X-66A by the U.S. Air Force.The new X-66A X-plane is aimed at informing the development of a new generation of more sustainable single-aisle aircraft, which are commonly used by passenger airlines worldwide. Boeing will collaborate with NASA to construct, test, and fly a full-scale demonstrator aircraft featuring extra-long, thin wings supported by diagonal struts - a design known as the Transonic Truss-Braced Wing concept.
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NASA Administrator Bill Nelson stated that the Sustainable Flight Demonstrator project builds on NASA's leading efforts in aeronautics and climate. The X-66A will help shape the future of aviation by ushering in an era of greener, cleaner, and quieter aircraft that will create new opportunities for both the flying public and American industry.
The X-66A is the first X-plane specifically focused on helping the United States achieve its goal of net-zero aviation greenhouse gas emissions, as outlined in the White House's U.S. Aviation Climate Action Plan. Bob Pearce, associate administrator for NASA's Aeronautics Research Mission Directorate, announced the designation at the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics Aviation Forum in San Diego. He stated that transformative aircraft concepts like those being tested on the X-66A are necessary to reach the goal of net-zero aviation emissions by 2050.
NASA and Boeing sought the X-plane designation shortly after announcing the Sustainable Flight Demonstrator project award earlier this year. The Air Force grants X-plane status to development programs that aim to create revolutionary experimental aircraft configurations for research purposes. With few exceptions, X-planes are intended to test designs and technologies that can be adopted into other aircraft designs rather than serving as prototypes for full production.
Boeing's chief technology officer Todd Citron expressed pride in the designation, stating that it means that the X-66A will join a long line of experimental aircraft used to validate breakthrough designs that have transformed aviation. The learnings gained from design, construction, and flight-testing will provide an opportunity to shape the future of flight and contribute to the decarbonization of aerospace.The Air Force has granted the X-66A designation to an aircraft that validates technologies for a Transonic Truss-Braced Wing configuration. When combined with other advancements in propulsion systems, materials, and systems architecture, this could result in up to 30% less fuel consumption and reduced emissions compared to today's best-in-class aircraft.
Single-aisle aircraft are heavily used and account for nearly half of worldwide aviation emissions. Developing designs and technologies for a more sustainable version of this type of aircraft could have a significant impact on emissions.
NASA's history with the X-plane designation dates back to the 1940s when its predecessor agency, the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA), jointly created an experimental aircraft program with the Air Force and the U.S. Navy. The X-66A is the latest in a long line of NASA X-planes. Additionally, NASA's Armstrong Flight Research Center in Edwards, California has provided technical expertise and support for several additional X-planes.
For the Sustainable Flight Demonstrator project, NASA has entered into a Funded Space Act Agreement with Boeing. Under this agreement, NASA will invest $425 million over seven years while Boeing and its partners will contribute the remaining funding, estimated at about $725 million. NASA will also contribute technical expertise and facilities.
The Sustainable Flight Demonstrator project is part of NASA's Integrated Aviation Systems Program and a key component of the agency's Sustainable Flight National Partnership, which focuses on developing new sustainable aviation technologies.
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