Scaled Composites is building the full sized technology demonstrator with a pressurized cockpit for first flight in early 2027 for the air force's $235 million contract. It will use two Pratt & Whitney PW2040 engines to power its full-scale Blended Wing Body to test and validate 30% to 50% less fuel consumption and superior aerodynamic lift, crucial for refueling tankers to deliver fuel over longer distances. They are partnered with Northrop Grumman to design, build and fly the demonstrator which aims to show enhanced capabilities for improved efficiency, endurance and cargo capacity.
>>65152330I like scaled composites they built the Stratolaunch (huge as fuck cool as fuck), Vanguard and the X-47A.
>>65152363
Brat and Shitney
>>65152363how would you weaponize it?
>>65152662You could drop a 250 metric ton bomb from it. Or carry a large drone that deploys thousands of strike drones. The world is your oyster
>>65152662>Or carry a large drone that deploys thousands of strike drones
>>65152673NTA, but that gives me an idea.Lob a 'missile' that has its own payload, along with a bunch of submunition drones with it. It gets near the target, deploys the submunition drones. They're all just aerosol sprayers to spread a shitload of fuel to get the widest area to make a fucking enormous fuel air bomb.
>>65153134Not that related but darpa has a fighter jet launched drone that flies out to launch a aim-120
>>65152330Both Alaska Airlines and some other major airline have put in fairly massive orders for the commercial version of these by the way. The Germans are also working on something similar but its a literal flying V and looks mega gay
>>65153689I believe United bought 100 on condition of FAA approval and Delta to a lesser extent is a vague "partner"
>>65152330>>65152363>>65153799Bros im so excited for the next generation of big ass planes. I love bombers and cargo planes, just big ass hunks of aluminum flying across the sky. It makes my inner kid who played hours of Ace Combat all warm inside.
>>65153843I know they confirmed for the air force both cargo and aerial refueling but there are rumors of it being made into a bomber as well (coolest most badass option).
>>65152371Looks like my latest KSP creations
>>65153843I welcome all blended wings, they are just so fucking cool, and more efficient too!
>>65153883Forgot my pic
>>65153799I thought it was 200 or something. I just know it was in the low triple digits
>>65152371>American Blohm and Voss
>>65152371Did the Scarab become the predator drone or something? It looks really similar in shape to it
>>65153903>>65153903idk but the V jet II became the Cirrus Vision Jet
>>65152363Look up my works ye mighty and despair
We Razgriz Now.
>>65153799It's gonna tank. The FAA will not approve a new airliner design unless it can meet the passenger evacuation time limit. The wide fuselage will pose lots of problems for passengers to reach the doors to exit. The wide wing/fuselage will also cause problems with jet bridges and parking spots at airports. So, airports have to spend money to accomodate this new design.
>The wide fuselage will pose lots of problems for passengers to reach the doors to exit.Underbody slides anon>The wide wing/fuselage will also cause problems with jet bridges and parking spots at airports.Mobile jetbridge anon, and carriers definitely want wide bodies because you could fit 1.5 to 2x the pax into an airframe and fly for about the same amount of fuel. They will figure out how implement blended wings into their gates.
>>65154010https://youtu.be/KnecioudH2M?t=3747They are designing it to CFR14 part 25
