Boeing chosen by NASA to lead development of transonic truss-braced wing demo aircraft

The US’s National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has asked Boeing to lead the development and test-flying of a “full-scale transonic truss-braced wing (TTBW) demonstrator airplane”. The belief is that the technologies will “inform future designs and could lead to breakthrough aerodynamics and fuel efficiency gains” – and could cut fuel use and emissions by 30% compared with current single-aisle aircraft. The programme , which NASA is to part-fund with US $425 million, “has the potential to make a major contribution toward a sustainable future,” said Greg Hyslop, Boeing chief engineer and executive vice president. A TBBW features “ultrathin” wings