GROUNDBREAKING plans for the world’s first “X-Plane” with giant 171ft wings have been halted – in a huge blow to futuristic jet designs.
Boeing and NASA collaboration project X-66 was shelved indefinitely following the exciting news of its launch just a few months ago.
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Incredible concepts had previously been revealed for the ultra-thin, aerodynamic jet supported by diagonal trusses.
The innovative aircraft was originally planned to take off in 2030-2035.
But the extraordinary plans have now been paused so that Boeing can focus on a “ground-based testbed to demonstrate the potential for long, thin-wing technology”.
The Boeing Transonic Truss-Braced Wing airliner (TTBW) had been developed in collaboration with NASA since 2010.
The Air Force named the TTBW design the X-66A.
An “X” designation was typically given to all experimental aircraft designs exploring new technologies in the past 80 years.
The X-plane was designed to fly up to 592 miles/hour, making it the fastest truss-braced wing aircraft.
The wingspan of the aircraft came to 170ft, which exceeds 737 MAX 8 model by 53ft.
The ultra-thin, swept back wings also allowed the plane to burn up to ten per cent less fuel.
NASA and Boeing hoped the plane could achieve a vast 30 per cent reduction in fuel burn compared to today’s narrowbody jets.
There were two designs – one with a 130-160 seat capacity and another with 180-210 passenger seats.
The wings of the X-66A were also planned to fold almost in half, with support provided by the truss.
This would allow the plane to fit into the same gates as aircrafts like 737, and would avoid the problem of fitting into certain airports hangars.
But NASA has now said that it is “evaluating an updated approach to the agency’s Sustainable Flight Demonstrator project that would focus on thin-wing technology with broad applications for multiple aircraft configurations”.
According to Aviation Week, staff on the X-66 program are being transferred to support Boeing’s delayed certification of the 777X and 737 MAX variants.
The unfortunate shelving of the revolutionary design comes in line with Boeing’s recent cost-cutting measures and focus on finishing programs which serve existing customers.
But Boeing and NASA still believe in the potential of thin-wing tech.
NASA said: “Since NASA issued the Sustainable Flight Demonstrator award in 2023, the project has made significant progress.”
They said that the project had pushed “toward its goal of informing future generations of more sustainable commercial airliners”.
The confirmed that plans would be “retained”, while the “long, thin-wing technology is being investigated with more focus”.
They added: “NASA and Boeing would also continue to collaborate on research into the transonic truss-braced wing concept.”
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