Ground testing of X-48B blended wing body concept

Citation

(2007), "Ground testing of X-48B blended wing body concept", Aircraft Engineering and Aerospace Technology, Vol. 79 No. 2. https://doi.org/10.1108/aeat.2007.12779bab.029

Ground testing of X-48B blended wing body concept

Ground testing of X-48B blended wing body concept

In cooperation with NASA and the USA Air Force Research Laboratory, Boeing Phantom Works recently began ground testing of its X-48B blended wing body (BWB) concept in preparation for flight testing.

The X-48B ground and flight is taking place at NASA's Dryden Flight Research Center at Edwards Air Force Base in California, where two high- fidelity 21-foot wingspan prototypes have been delivered.

The prototypes were produced to explore and validate the structural, aerodynamic and operational advantages of the BWB concept. They were designated the “X-48B” by the USA Air Force based on its interest in the design's potential as a future military aircraft.

“Earlier wind-tunnel testing and the flight testing are focused on learning more about the BWB's low-speed flight- control characteristics, especially during takeoffs and landings,” said Norm Princen, Boeing Phantom Works chief engineer for the X-48B program. “Knowing how accurately our models predict these characteristics is an important step in the further development of this concept.”

X-48B Ship 1 completed extensive wind tunnel testing at the Old Dominion University NASA Langley Full-Scale Tunnel last summer before being shipped to NASA Dryden as a backup to Ship 2, which is being used for flight testing.

In preparation for first flight, the X- 48B Ship 2 will undergo ground testing to validate its engine- and fuel-system integrity, battery endurance, telemetry link communication, flight-control software, and low- and high-speed taxiing characteristics.

The X-48B's three turbojet engines will allow the 500-pound, composite- skinned, 21-foot wingspan prototype to fly up to 120 knots and 10,000 feet in altitude during flight testing.

The X-48B research project is led by Phantom Works, Boeing's advanced R&D unit chartered to provide innovative technology and system solutions to meet future aerospace needs. Cranfield Aerospace, Ltd, in the UK built the two X-48B prototypes for Phantom Works in accordance with Boeing requirements and specifications. NASA's participation in the project is focused on fundamental, edge-of-the-envelope flight dynamics and structural concepts of the BWB, while AFRL is focused on the BWB's potential as a flexible, long- range, high-capacity military aircraft.