While Boeing continuously explores and applies
innovative technologies at its own expense to enhance
its current and next-generation products, the X-48C
flight-test research is an example of how the company
also is looking much farther into the future at
revolutionary concepts that offer even greater
breakthroughs in the science of flight.
"Boeing has been a leader in technology and aerospace
for almost 100 years. Our employees work to solve big
challenges and create complex, highly capable systems,
from today's 787 Dreamliner airplane and P-8A Poseidon
multi-mission military aircraft to the X-48C, which
explores ideas for future advances. Every day our team
is building on our legacy of groundbreaking technical
achievements that have improved life for people
worldwide," said John Tracy, Boeing chief technology
officer and senior vice president of Engineering,
Operations & Technology.
Engineers from Boeing Research & Technology, the
company's central research, technology and innovation
organization, will be working closely with NASA
engineers during flight tests of the X-48C, which are
expected to continue throughout 2012. As handling
qualities of the X-48C will be different than those of
the X-48B, the project team developed flight control
software modifications, including flight control
limiters to keep the airplane flying within a safe
flight envelope.
With a 21-foot wingspan, the 500-pound aircraft is an
8.5 percent scale model of a heavy-lift, subsonic
airplane with a 240-foot wingspan that possibly could be
developed in the next 15 to 20 years for military
applications such as aerial refueling and cargo
missions. The X-48C has an estimated top speed of about
140 miles per hour, with a maximum altitude of 10,000
feet. The X-48C project team consists of Boeing, NASA,
Cranfield Aeropace, and the U.S. Air Force Research
Laboratory. Boeing
and NASA's Aeronautics Research Mission Directorate are
funding X-48 technology demonstration research. The
effort supports NASA's Environmentally Responsible
Aviation project, which has goals to reduce fuel burn,
emissions and noise of future aircraft.
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