X-48B Blended Wing Body test vehicle takes flight Published Aug. 9, 2007 By Holly Jordan Air Vehicles Direcrorate, AFRL WRIGHT-PATTERSON AFB, Ohio -- The X-48B Blended Wing Body (BWB) research vehicle, developed by AFRL, Boeing, and NASA, made a successful maiden flight July 20, at the NASA Dryden Flight Research Center in Edwards, Calif. The test aircraft, an 8.5 percent scale, remotely piloted vehicle, successfully completed a 31-minute flight, which tested the revolutionary aircraft's handling and flying capabilities. The BWB design is similar to a flying wing, but the aircraft's fuselage is triangular-shaped. The triangular fuselage 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. The aircraft may also prove to be quieter, since the engines are mounted on the back of the aircraft, away from the fuselage. During the maiden flight, in which the aircraft climbed to an altitude of 7,500 feet, the BWB test vehicle completed a number of successful tests, including initial stability checks, auto throttle checks, and a practice landing and approach at altitude. Data from the test flight was compared to the extensive wind tunnel data collected during numerous tests at NASA's Langley Research Center in Hampton, Va. All tests during the flight were completed successfully, and the aircraft passed a post-flight inspection with no parts damaged. The remote pilot reported that the aircraft handled and flew well. After initial evaluation and adjustments, the aircraft was expected to make additional test flights. Up to 25 test flights are planned at the low-speed flight regime to gather data and further evaluate the configuration. Because of its unique shape and cargo capacity, the BWB concept has many potential commercial and military applications, including as a tanker or transport aircraft.