Boeing’s Next Airplane? Transonic Truss-Braced Wing

NASA has announced that it’s selected Boeing to lead a campaign for a full-scale Transonic Truss-Braced Wing demonstrator. A campaign that would involve development and flight testing.

In January 2019, Boeing unveiled their lightweight, ultra-thin, yet more aerodynamic wing concept to the world. Research indicated that it would fly higher and faster than previous concepts released.

From one end to another, the folding wing design would measure 170 feet, with the wingspan being made possible thanks to the pressure of a truss. It supports the extended wing, which is also ultra-thin.

For nearly a decade, Boeing and NASA have been studying the concept as part of the Subsonic Ultra Green Aircraft Research (SUGAR) program. The research focuses on innovative concepts that reduce noise and emissions while enhancing performance.

Boeing

Today’s announcement highlights the commitment towards sustainable aviation. While also presenting an opportunity to design, build and fly a full-scale experimental plane which should allow for solving technical problems that may be associated.

NASA’s SFD Space Act Agreement funding is reported to total USD 425 million. At the same time, Boeing and its partners will fund USD 725 million to shape the program and acquire the necessary resources. Boeing’s previous investments in recent phases of the program also total USD 110 million.

After more than a decade of development, this airframe concept is the result. It has undergone thorough digital and wind tunnel testing to advance the Truss-Braced Wing design as much as possible.

The full-scale demonstrator will fly in 2028.