For the moment, it is 2 meters long and 3.2 meters wide and has an area of approximately 2.25 m2. We are very far from the dimensions of an A380 or an A350, but nevertheless, the giant wing unveiled this Tuesday at the Singapore air show by Airbus unveils the lines of the plane of the future.
This reduced model called Maveric, for "Model aircraft for validation and experimentation of robust innovative controls", is a technological demonstrator whose objective is to validate the aircraft manufacturer's ability to reduce the fuel consumption of its aircraft in the future 20% compared to the A320 family for example.
Airbus reveals its blended wing body aircraft demonstrator.
Read the press release: https://t.co/pvUqvXMqly pic.twitter.com/QnaCKiL53b
Its wing-shaped design "also opens up new possibilities for the integration of propulsion systems, as well as a versatile cabin for a whole new passenger experience on board," Airbus said in a statement.
Flight test campaign
Its engineers have been working on this project since 2017, and the first flight of Maveric took place last June. "Since then, the flight test campaign has been underway and will continue until the end of the second quarter of 2020," said the aircraft manufacturer.
"Although there is no specific deadline for commissioning, this technological demonstrator could contribute to changing the architectures of commercial aircraft for an ecologically sustainable future for the aeronautical industry," said Jean-Brice Dumont, the vice-president of Airbus in charge of engineering.
This research program complements others already underway such as the E-FAN X, the electric plane, or even its autonomous taxi.
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