X-48B Blended-Wing Body Test Vehicle Takes Flight

  • Published
  • By Air Vehicles Directorate
  • AFRL/RB
The AFRL, Boeing, and National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) jointly developed X-48B Blended-Wing Body (BWB) research vehicle made a successful maiden flight at the NASA Dryden Flight Research Center (Edwards Air Force Base, California). The test aircraft--an 8.5% scale, remotely piloted vehicle--successfully completed a 31-minute flight that tested the revolutionary aircraft's handling and flying capabilities.

The BWB test vehicle climbed to an altitude of 7,500 ft during the inaugural flight, completing a number of successful tests (e.g., initial stability checks, auto-throttle checks, and practice landing and approach at altitude). Researchers compared the data acquired from this test flight to the extensive wind tunnel data collected during numerous tests at NASA's Langley Research Center (Hampton, Virginia). 

All tests completed during the flight were successful, and the aircraft passed a postflight inspection with no parts damaged. The remote pilot reported that the aircraft handled and flew well. After initial evaluation and associated adjustments, the aircraft will make additional test flights. Future plans include up to 25 test flights at the low-speed flight regime for the purpose of gathering additional data and further evaluating
the configuration.

The BWB design is similar to a flying wing, but the BWB aircraft's fuselage is triangular-shaped. The triangular construction gives the aircraft increased lift and less drag over the traditional tube-shaped fuselages of most military and commercial aircraft. The BWB concept provides greater fuel efficiency and increased cargo or passenger capacity. It may also prove to be quieter, since the engines are mounted on the back of the aircraft, away from the fuselage. Because of its unique shape and cargo capacity, the BWB concept has many potential commercial and military applications, including use as a tanker or transport aircraft.