NASA is looking to develop a test aircraft (X-plane) for evaluating next-generation, efficiency-improving technologies which can be incorporated into the next single-aisle commercial aircraft, which manufacturers will be likely to bring in market in the 2030s.
A simple definition of a truss can be thought of as a framework consisting of numerous members commonly known as struts.
These struts or beams are assembled in such a way that the whole structure becomes rigid.
NASA X-planes now in development include the X-59, a supersonic aircraft with a quieter sonic boom, and the electric-powered X-57.
Technologies under review by NASA include a subsonic narrow-body aircraft with a truss-braced wing that could cruise at about Mach 0.8, says Bridenstine.
Those studies fall under NASA’s Subsonic Ultra Green Aircraft Research programme.
Technologies under review by NASA include a subsonic narrow-body aircraft with a truss-braced wing that could cruise at about Mach 0.8, says Bridenstine.
Those studies fall under NASA’s Subsonic Ultra Green Aircraft Research programme.
Boeing revealed its conceptualized truss-braced wing narrow-body aircraft in January 2019 which received funding under this programme itself.
Their conceptualized design is an aircrat with a wing span of 170ft (52m) folding wing. The wing will be on the top of fuselage supported by a truss composed of four struts.
By comparison, the 737 Max has a wing span of 117ft.
The reason why NASA is interested in truss-braced wings is its ability to support longer wings, which have high aspect ratios (the ratio of square of wing span to planform area of the wing).
High aspect ratio wings in-turn will result in less drag and 5-10% less fuel burn. NASA has tested the truss design at its Ames Research Center in California.
Moreover, NASA is also focusing on small-core turbofans and advanced electric systems.
NASA thinks small-core turbofans with improved thermal efficiency (how well an engine converts its chemical energy to mechanical energy) can also deliver 5-10% efficiency gains.
If we can shrink the core of the engine without actually increasing the diameter of the fan, engineers can therefore increase the engine's Bypass Ratio and therefore its efficiency without any increase in drag or weight.
The agency has also studied advanced electrical systems and hybrid-electric propulsion technologies which predicts to deliver another 5% fuel efficiency.
Lastly, composites cannot be ruled out. NASA is studying on how to increase the production of composite aircraft components as well.
With all these researches taking place, one thing can be sure that by 2030s we might be able to witness a transformed commercial transportation.
Their conceptualized design is an aircrat with a wing span of 170ft (52m) folding wing. The wing will be on the top of fuselage supported by a truss composed of four struts.
By comparison, the 737 Max has a wing span of 117ft.
The reason why NASA is interested in truss-braced wings is its ability to support longer wings, which have high aspect ratios (the ratio of square of wing span to planform area of the wing).
High aspect ratio wings in-turn will result in less drag and 5-10% less fuel burn. NASA has tested the truss design at its Ames Research Center in California.
Moreover, NASA is also focusing on small-core turbofans and advanced electric systems.
NASA thinks small-core turbofans with improved thermal efficiency (how well an engine converts its chemical energy to mechanical energy) can also deliver 5-10% efficiency gains.
If we can shrink the core of the engine without actually increasing the diameter of the fan, engineers can therefore increase the engine's Bypass Ratio and therefore its efficiency without any increase in drag or weight.
The agency has also studied advanced electrical systems and hybrid-electric propulsion technologies which predicts to deliver another 5% fuel efficiency.
Lastly, composites cannot be ruled out. NASA is studying on how to increase the production of composite aircraft components as well.
With all these researches taking place, one thing can be sure that by 2030s we might be able to witness a transformed commercial transportation.
What are your thoughts about the researches being conducted by NASA and various other aerospace organizations for transforming the way we travel around the globe?
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