This blended wing plane wants to reshape aviation. But can it deliver the 50% cut in fuel burn it promises?

For decades, the contemporary “tube-and-wing” design of commercial aircraft has remained largely similar.

However, with the sector’s goal of net zero emissions by 2050, airlines are racing to reduce their carbon footprint and industry players are under pressure to innovate.

Changing the conventional shape of aeroplanes could be one solution.

The “blended wing body” – a curvaceous airframe with no clear dividing line between its wings and body, is touted to be more aerodynamically efficient, potentially saving fuel and boosting range.

Aviation giants Airbus and Boeing have both built experimental prototypes but a smaller player, aerospace start-up JetZero, is looking to spearhead the radical design and reshape the next generation of airplanes.

It has ambitious plans of taking to the skies with a working model in the next three years and putting such an aircraft into service as soon as the 2030s.

The California-based firm has the backing of the United States Air Force (USAF), which last August invested US$235 million for the development and production of a full-scale demonstrator.

SLEEK SHAPE COULD HALVE EMISSIONS

JetZero promises its “ultra-efficient” blended wing configuration could cut fuel consumption and carbon emissions by 50 per cent, and boasts more range with the same payload.

“The shape enables the transition. (We can achieve) lower emissions and lower fuel burn just by changing the shape of the airframe,” co-founder and chief executive Tom O'Leary told CNA on Tuesday (Feb 20) on the sidelines of the Singapore Airshow.

“It has a lifting body – often called a ‘flying wing’ design. It improves the lift and lowers the drag. It is also lighter in weight because we are using all carbon fibre composite fuselage. So, three things: lower weight, lower drag, and higher lift.”

This is JetZero’s first attendance at the aerospace event, where it is “building a coalition of people who are interested in helping to develop (the blueprint) – airlines, partners, suppliers”, said Mr O'Leary.

He said that airliners have not adjusted much in traditional design as commercial aviation favours the tried-and-tested, and successful, solutions.

But as climate targets loom, the blended wing structure has attracted renewed attention in the push towards zero carbon emissions propulsion.

“The tube-and-wing airframe has been amazingly reliable and a safe platform,” said Mr O'Leary.

“But today, there are so many more needs that the industry faces – to lower fuel burn, lower emissions, improve passenger experience, etc. This (blended wing) airframe addresses all those needs and represents the next step forward for aviation.”

COMMERCIAL PLANS & SUSTAINABILITY PUSH

With the USAF’s support, JetZero could potentially develop military jets and tankers for aerial refuels, as well as freighters.

In addition, the firm is eyeing a lucrative gap in the commercial market for medium-haul flights.

“Right now, the market has two types of planes – short haul and long haul. Our jet can fit right into the gap between those planes, where there's incredibly high demand and no supply,” said Mr O'Leary.

He added that the streamlined airframe works with other forms of net zero push in the industry, including compatibility with sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), and to accommodate hydrogen and electric technologies.

“When we move to a new airframe that is more efficient, we enable virtually all the other forms. Electric-powered aircraft require batteries, which weigh a lot, so we need a more efficient airframe. Hydrogen requires a lot of volume, so we need a volume-metrically efficient airframe,” he said.

“We provide all those things with this one airframe advancement. It's the best first step for future sustainability, and that is to change the shape of aviation.”

However, blended wing designs have yet to garner substantial support among commercial airlines.

It still remains to be seen if the ambitious 50 per cent projected cut in fuel usage is conceivable, with other industry players such as Airbus citing a more modest 20 per cent reduction for similar designs.

Analysts also cautioned that the design – while revolutionary and with much potential – requires extensive testing and is not without challenges, including aerodynamic complexity, structural integrity, and existing airport infrastructure.