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Coming up next, The Boeing 797?

Boeing has restarted its prototype testing of the X-48b ( a scale model of the BWB design, pictured above ) in Mojave. Full story can be found here.

So, its still about 10 years off, but you'd be surprised how fast 10 years goes by in "design and engineering" time.

In depth coverage of the advent of the BWB design can be found here.

I'm very happy to see this design move forward. I was unhappy with Boeing for backing away from this in the 90's because I was still thinking in terms of competition from Airbus with the A380. I think this design is the way to go, but I can see now why they needed to do the 787 first before moving into the BWB. The BWB design is heavily dependent on new manufactuing techniques with composite materials. The 787 and its radical new approach in both materials and assembly will make the construction of the BWB all that much easier because of the experience gained with these new materials and systems.

Then again, Norman Bel Geddes can take heart that his 1929 idea for aircraft design:

Norman Bel Geddes - Airliner #4.

is finally starting to take shape.

Posted @ July 26, 2007 08:51 AM | Aviation