The US Air Force (USAF) contacted the startup JetZero in August 2023 to request the creation of a prototype of a Blended-Wing Body (BWB) aircraft for the purpose of testing and demonstrating new technologies. Nearly 18 months later, a USAF representative provided an initial update on the initiative.
The “Pathfinder” replica, which is approximately one-eighth the size of the full-scale aircraft, has a wingspan of 7 meters. The prototype aims to test the BWB concepts for future military, commercial, and cargo aircraft. The Air Force’s Assistant Secretary for Energy, Installations, and Environment has designated the BWB concept as a priority due to its potential to decrease fuel consumption by 30% in comparison to current cargo aircraft.
The Federal Aviation Administration approved testing for spring 2024.
According to a spokesperson for the United States Air Force, a small-scale aircraft that underwent initial testing at Crows Landing, California, validated the current BWB concept of JetZero by exhibiting flight dynamics similar to those of earlier small-scale BWB aircraft, such as the X-48.
The X-48 program, which concluded in 2013, included several BWB designs of varying sizes and configurations. It evaluated aircraft with varying wing configurations and two or three engines.
Scaled Composites, a division of Northrop Grumman, is responsible for the manufacturing of the full-scale aircraft, while JetZero is heading the BWB program.
BWB concepts are likely to contribute to NGAS analyses as well as discussions on next-generation air transportation, the spokesperson added, despite the fact that they are not formally part of the Air Force’s Next-Generation Air Refueling System (NGAS) program. He added that the intended adaptability extends beyond refueling and transport platforms.
During the contract signature, Air Force officials stated they would assess the BWB design’s efficiency in the context of NGAS and other future mobility concepts.
According to the spokesperson, the NGAS program did not influence the establishment of the Blended-Wing Body initiative. The primary focus of the BWB project is to accelerate innovation for the development of next-generation large aircraft and to develop adaptable options to meet future capability requirements.
Testing and manufacturing have made substantial progress
Tests conducted with the small-scale demonstrator are already providing valuable insights.
Scaled Composites has initiated the production of full-scale components for testing. The spokesperson gave an example of a prototype wing that was recently built to refine and validate structural models for full-scale aircraft assembly. Meanwhile, JetZero has significantly advanced its integrated test center, enabling system integration testing well in advance of initial full-scale production—a risk-reduction tactic that Gulfstream employed for prototype aircraft.
The Air Force has announced that full-scale aircraft production will commence in 2026, with ground demonstrations commencing in April 2027. The first flight is anticipated to occur in September 2027.
In addition to a future tanker, the Air Force is looking at replacements for its primary airlift platforms: the C-5, C-17, and C-130. The C-5 program failed to achieve the estimated increase in availability, despite the fact that it underwent modernization to extend its service life into the 2040s. The Air Force is considering the extension of the C-17’s service life or the development of a replacement. Meanwhile, Air Mobility Command and Special Operations Command are in search of a more durable alternative to the C-130 for future tactical missions.
The Air Force representative went on to say that the BWB initiative aims to speed up innovation and create additional capabilities for future needs across a range of aircraft types, including cargo planes, transports, tankers, and bombers, which account for 60% of the Air Force’s fuel consumption.
Significance from a Strategic Perspective
By using transformative aviation technology that is at least 30% more efficient than current platforms, the BWB initiative contributes to the Air Force’s strategy. It has the potential to considerably improve the capabilities and readiness, particularly in light of the logistical challenges in the Indo-Pacific region (INDOPACOM).
The immense size of the Indo-Pacific theater compels the Air Force to expand the range and efficacy of future platforms to facilitate the Agile Combat Employment (ACE) concept. Under the ACE program, the Air Force will need to provide survivable and expeditious airlift support in various dispersed and austere locations, while aircraft must transport cargo and fuel with minimal self-consumption.
The spokesperson asserted that this innovative technology could be indispensable for Pacific operations, offering the necessary operational advantage.
Industry Contributions and Funding
The Air Force has allocated $230 million to the BWB program as part of a cost-sharing agreement. Unknown private investors contributed at least the total. According to industry representatives, the initiative has received or been pledged approximately $300 million in private funding.