JetZero: Unveiling the Revolutionary Aircraft Shaping the Future of Aviation

The design of commercial airplanes has remained relatively unchanged for the past 60 years. Despite the introduction of modern airliners such as the Boeing 787 and the Airbus A350, their overall shape remains similar to that of the Boeing 707 and Douglas DC-8, both of which were constructed in the late 1950s and established the enduring "tube and wing" design. This choice is driven by the aviation industry's emphasis on safety and reliance on proven solutions, as well as the continued relevance of the traditional design due to advancements in materials and engines.

As the industry seeks ways to lower carbon emissions, it faces a tougher challenge compared to other sectors due to the difficulty of transitioning from its existing core technologies. Perhaps now is the time to explore innovative alternatives.

One suggestion is the concept of the "blended wing body," a completely new aircraft design that resembles the "flying wing" used by military aircraft like the renowned B-2 bomber. However, the blended wing body offers a larger middle section. Both Boeing and Airbus are exploring this idea, as well as a California-based company called JetZero, which aims to have a blended wing aircraft in operation by 2030.

A rendering of JetZero's blended wing design.

JetZero

Under pressure

The blended wing concept is not a recent development, with the first endeavors to construct aircraft using this design tracing back to Germany in the late 1920s. In 1947, the American aircraft designer and industrialist Jack Northrop devised a jet-powered flying wing design, serving as a source of inspiration for the creation of the B-2 in the 1990s.

The blended wing, combining features of a flying wing and a traditional "tube and wing" design, enables the aircraft to generate lift while minimizing drag. According to NASA, this innovative shape enhances fuel efficiency and provides larger cargo or passenger areas within the central body of the aircraft. NASA tested this concept using their experimental plane, the X-48, which completed approximately 120 test flights between 2007 and 2012. The successful results demonstrated the feasibility of this design. NASA states that an aircraft with this blended wing configuration would have a wingspan slightly larger than that of a Boeing 747 and could operate from existing airport terminals. Furthermore, the blended wing aircraft would be lighter, quieter, generate fewer emissions, and have lower operating costs compared to a similarly advanced conventional transport aircraft.

NASA's experimental X-48 plane.

Why haven't we transitioned to constructing planes based on the highly effective blended wing design, despite Airbus creating a small demonstrator in 2020 and expressing interest in pursuing a full-size aircraft in the future?

OLeary explains that the major hurdle for manufacturers is the pressurization of a fuselage that does not have a cylindrical shape. He highlights the advantage of a tube-shaped plane, which is more capable of withstanding the regular expansion and contraction cycles experienced during flights.

In his view, a tube and wing design effectively distributes the loads, with the pressurization load on the tube and the bending loads on the wings. However, a blended wing design combines these loads. This combination is only made possible with the use of lightweight and durable composite materials.

The interior of the plane would have a dramatically different appearance and feel compared to today's widebody aircraft. According to O'Leary, it would feature a much wider fuselage, resembling a shorter and wider tube. The number of passengers would remain the same, but each airline could potentially have 15 or 20 rows across the cabin, depending on their preferred configuration.

This broader space would provide airlines with a fresh canvas to design the interior layout, and O'Leary believes it will be fascinating to witness their creative interpretation of this expanded area.

JetZero hopes to have its plane in service by 2030.

JetZero

Revolutionary potential

OLeary states that the Boeing 767, a widebody, twin-engine aircraft introduced in the 1980s, is the closest in size to the content fragment. This plane typically carried around 210 passengers and is still in production as a cargo plane. However, it has been replaced by the Boeing 787 as a passenger aircraft. The Boeing 767 also has a modern military variant called the KC-46, which is utilized by the US Air Force for aerial refueling.

In a similar manner, JetZero aims to develop three variants simultaneously: a passenger plane, a cargo plane, and a fuel tanker. The blended wing design is particularly suitable for the fuel tanker variant, leading the US Air Force to recently grant JetZero $235 million to develop a full-scale demonstrator and validate the blended wing concept's performance. The first flight is anticipated to take place in 2027, indicating that the military version of the aircraft is scheduled to pave the way and potentially support the development of the commercial models.

However, constructing a completely new aircraft from the ground up is a monumental undertaking, and JetZero's objectives appear to be quite ambitious considering the extensive certification process, which can span several years, involved in even modifying an existing airplane. JetZero does possess an advantage in this aspect as the initial aircraft will utilize engines borrowed from current narrowbody planes, such as the Boeing 737. However, the ultimate goal is to transition to a propulsion system powered by hydrogen, devoid of any emissions. This transition would necessitate the development of novel engines that are not yet in existence.

How near are we to achieving guilt-free air travel?

JetZero has yet to receive any plane orders, however, O'Leary asserts that there is a significant level of interest from airlines. "We are already in discussions with major global airlines as they are eager to learn about the potential efficiency improvements."

The feasibility of achieving a 50% reduction in fuel consumption remains uncertain. NASA and Airbus have suggested a more conservative estimate of 20% for their respective designs, whereas the US Air Force states that a blended wing aircraft may enhance aerodynamic efficiency by at least 30% compared to current Air Force tanker and mobility aircraft.

According to Bailey Miles, an aviation analyst at consulting firm AviationValues, it should be acknowledged that the benefits of a blended wing body in terms of drag reduction and fuel efficiency rely on the particular design, configuration, and operational conditions. Additionally, to fully exploit the potential drag reduction of this innovative aircraft design, thorough aerodynamic testing and optimization are imperative. Without the necessary tests, it would be challenging to quantify the exact percentage of fuel reduction.

Miles believes that the blended wing design is a groundbreaking concept with great potential. However, it presents obstacles such as increased aerodynamic complexity, which can make the design and testing process difficult. Additionally, there are regulatory and certification challenges to overcome and the current airport infrastructure may not be suitable for this type of aircraft.

According to Miles, the blended wing body aircraft has tremendous potential to revolutionize the aviation industry. It offers advantages such as improved fuel efficiency, greater payload capacity, and innovative control systems. However, there are significant challenges that need to be addressed, such as managing the aerodynamic complexities, ensuring structural integrity, navigating regulatory hurdles, and adapting airport infrastructure. Due to these challenges and others, achieving JetZeros goal of entering service by 2030 seems unlikely.

Richard Aboulafia, an aviation analyst at consulting firm Aerodynamic Advisory, finds the concept of a blended wing body intriguing and acknowledges the interesting research conducted by JetZero. He and his colleagues see it as a promising development. While he acknowledges that JetZero is currently primarily a design shop, Aboulafia believes that the project has potential to succeed through collaboration with contractors. He believes that there is ample opportunity for a company that aims to contribute value to the aviation industry.