Boeing Phantom Works to Lead Research on X-48B Blended Wing Body Concept

[Chris Bergin]

Relevance due to LaRC:

E-mailed press release:

Boeing Phantom Works to Lead Research on X-48B Blended Wing Body Concept
HAMPTON, Va., May 04, 2006 -- In cooperation with NASA and the U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory, the Phantom Works organization of Boeing [NYSE: BA] is taking another step toward exploring and validating the structural, aerodynamic and operational advantages of a futuristic aircraft design called the blended wing body, or BWB.

Two high-fidelity, 21-foot wingspan prototypes of the BWB concept have been designed and produced for wind tunnel and flight testing this year. The Air Force has designated the vehicles as the "X-48B," based on its interest in the design's potential as a flexible, long-range, high-capacity military aircraft.

X-48B Ship No. 1 began wind tunnel testing on April 7 at the Langley Full-Scale Tunnel at NASA's Langley Research Center. When testing is completed in early May, it will be shipped to NASA's Dryden Flight Research Center in California to serve as a backup to Ship No. 2, which will be used for flight testing later this year. According to the team, both phases of testing are focused on learning more about the low-speed flight-control characteristics of the BWB concept.

"The X-48B prototypes have been dynamically scaled to represent a much larger aircraft and are being used to demonstrate that a BWB is as controllable and safe during takeoff, approach and landing as a conventional military transport airplane," said Norm Princen, Boeing Phantom Works chief engineer for the X-48B program.

The X-48B cooperative agreement by Boeing, NASA and the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) culminates years of BWB research by NASA and Boeing. AFRL is interested in the concept for its potential future military applications.

"We believe the BWB concept has the potential to cost effectively fill many roles required by the Air Force, such as tanking, weapons carriage, and command and control," said Capt. Scott Bjorge, AFRL X-48B program manager. "This research is a great cooperative effort, and a major step in the development of the BWB. AFRL is inspired to be involved in this critical test program."

NASA also is committed to advancing the BWB concept. NASA and its partners have tested six different blended wing body models of various sizes over the last decade in four wind tunnels at the Langley Research Center.

"One big difference between this airplane and the traditional tube and wing aircraft is that -- instead of a conventional tail -- the blended wing body relies solely on multiple control surfaces on the wing for stability and control," said Dan Vicroy, NASA senior research engineer at the Langley Research Center. "What we want to do with this wind-tunnel test is to look at how these surfaces can be best used to maneuver the aircraft."

The two X-48B prototypes were built for Boeing Phantom Works by Cranfield Aerospace Ltd., in the United Kingdom in accordance with Boeing requirements and specifications. Made primarily of advanced lightweight composite materials, the prototypes weigh about 400 pounds each. Powered by three turbojet engines, they will be capable of flying up to 120 knots and 10,000 feet in altitude during flight testing.

Boeing also contracted with Cranfield Aerospace to provide the ground-control station, in which a pilot will remotely control the X-48B during flight research testing.

As part of Boeing's long-range business strategy, its Phantom Works advanced research and development organization defines and develops innovative technologies and systems such as the blended wing body concept to meet future aerospace needs.

[Chris Bergin]

And that was soon followed by NASA's:

RELEASE: 06-214

TEAM USES HISTORIC NASA TUNNEL TO TEST BLENDED WING BODY

A historic NASA wind tunnel is helping test the prototype of a new,
more fuel-efficient aircraft design.

Boeing Phantom Works, St. Louis, has partnered with NASA's Aeronautics
Research Mission Directorate and the U.S. Air Force Research
Laboratory, Wright Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, to explore and
validate the structural, aerodynamic and operational advantages of an
advanced concept called the blended-wing body. A blended-wing body
looks different than most airplanes, as it has a modified
triangular-shaped wing.

The team has produced two high-tech, 21-foot wingspan prototypes of
the blended-wing body for wind tunnel and flight-testing. The Air
Force has designated the vehicles as the "X-48B."

"One big difference between this airplane and the traditional tube and
wing aircraft is that, instead of a conventional tail, the
blended-wing body relies solely on multiple control surfaces on the
wing for stability and control," said Dan Vicroy, senior research
engineer at NASA's Langley Research Center in Hampton, Va. "What we
want to do with this wind-tunnel test is to look at how these
surfaces can best be used to maneuver the aircraft."

X-48B Ship No. 1 began wind-tunnel testing April 7 at the Langley
Full-Scale Tunnel. The Langley Full-Scale Tunnel, operated by Old
Dominion University in Norfolk, Va., was built in 1930. It has been
used to test World War II fighters, the Mercury space capsule and
concepts for a supersonic transport. When testing is completed in
mid-May, the prototype will be shipped to NASA's Dryden Flight
Research Center, Edwards Air Force Base, Calif., to serve as a backup
to Ship No. 2, which will be used for remotely piloted flight tests
later this year.

Both phases of testing are focused on learning more about the
low-speed flight-control characteristics of the BWB concept.

"The X-48B prototypes have been dynamically scaled to represent a much
larger aircraft and are being used to demonstrate that a blended-wing
body is as controllable and safe during takeoff, approach and landing
as a conventional military transport airplane," said Norm Princen,
chief engineer for the X-48B program at Boeing Phantom Works.

The cooperative agreement on the X-48B program culminates years of
research by NASA and Boeing. The Air Force is interested in the
concept for its potential future military applications.

"We believe the blended-wing body concept has the potential to cost
effectively fill many roles required by the Air Force, such as
tanking, weapons carriage, and command and control," said Captain
Scott Bjorge, AFRL's X-48B program manager. "This research is a great
cooperative effort and a major step in the development of the
blended-wing body. AFRL is inspired to be involved in this critical
test program."

Cranfield Aerospace Ltd., Cranfield, England, built the ground
breaking X-48B prototypes in accordance with Boeing Phantom Works'
specifications. Made primarily of advanced lightweight composite
materials, the prototypes weigh about 400 pounds each. They are
powered by three turbojet engines and can fly up to 138 mph and as
high as 10,000 feet.

Additional points of contact: Boeing, Tom Koehler (206) 766-2923;
AFRL, Larine Barr, (937) 656-9010.

Video of the blended-wing body will be available on the NASA TV
Video-File news feed on the agency's Media Channel (Program 103) at
noon EDT; with replays at 3, 6, and 10 p.m. and 12, 6, and 10 a.m.
The NASA TV Media Channel is available on an MPEG-2 digital C-band
signal accessed via satellite AMC-6, at 72 degrees west longitude,
transponder 17C, 4040 MHz, vertical polarization. In Alaska and
Hawaii, it's on AMC-7 at 137 degrees west longitude, transponder 18C,
at 4060 MHz, horizontal polarization. A Digital Video Broadcast
compliant Integrated Receiver Decoder is required for reception. For
NASA TV information, visit: http://www.nasa.gov/ntv