US Air Force begins production of futurist blended wing body aircraft prototype

The US Air Force has picked aerospace start-up JetZero to build a blended wing body (BWB) prototype aircraft.

The futurist-looking aircraft is to be assembled by 2026, with flight testing beginning in 2027.

Differing from a traditional tube-and-wing aircraft, the BWB blends the aircraft body into its high-aspect-ratio wing –  decreasing aerodynamic drag by at least 30% and providing additional lift.

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This increased efficiency will enable extended range, more loiter time, and improves payload delivery efficiencies, according to the US Air Force's (USAF) website.

While the BWB concept has been around for decades, more recent technology advancements in structural design, materials technology, and manufacturing have made large-scale production achievable.

The commercial industry, including passenger airlines and air freight companies, stand to benefit from the development of this technology – with increased cabin or cargo space and decreased fuel costs.

Announcing the decision at an event hosted by the Air and Space Forces Association, USAF secretary Frank Kendall, said: "This is a prototype/demonstration project. It is intended to accelerate the next generation of the large aircraft the air force needs in the future.

"There's a real potential in this technology to help increase fuel efficiency significantly.

"That's going to lead to improvements in not just the efficiency and capability of our force, but also in our impact on the climate." Several military transport configurations are possible with the BWB. Together, these aircraft types account for approximately 60% of USAF's total annual jet fuel consumption.

Former C-17 Globemaster III pilot and engineer Dr Ravi Chaudhary, assistant secretary of USAF for Energy, Installations and Environment, is leading efforts to ensure efficiencies in operational energy to build greater agility for theatre commanders.

He said: "It's been a little over 100 years since a few brave airmen took to the skies and proved the first aerial refuelling capability, extending the global reach of our air force.

"This announcement marks another game-changing milestone for the air force in our efforts to maintain the advantage of airpower effectiveness against any future competitors."