NASA is working on planes with thin, long wings to save fuel

NASA is working with aircraft manufacturer Boeing on a new type of passenger aircraft that should save a lot of fuel and reduce CO₂ emissions. This must be achieved by higher placed, thinner and longer wings.

The plan is part of it Sustainable Flight Demonstrator Project. The aim is for the technology to be applied to a demonstration aircraft. In combination with other developments in areas such as propulsion and materials used, this should lead to fuel savings and emission reductions of up to 30 percent compared to current passenger aircraft.

This is a new concept for aircraft with a single aisle, such as the Airbus A320 or the Boeing 737. The concept does not seem to be developed for larger types of aircraft at the moment. It is also not clear what share the new wing has in the fuel savings. NASA talks about a saving of up to 30 percent, but also mentions other necessary developments that should contribute.

The new wing structure is referred to as transonic truss-braced wing. With this concept, the wings are longer and thinner than with current passenger aircraft and they are also placed higher. The wings are supported and stabilized by diagonally placed trusses. The challenge here lies mainly in limiting the increase in weight of this new wing structure and integrating relatively large engines. The longer wings can also theoretically cause problems at airports, because more space is needed.

NASA will spend $425 million on this project over the next seven years, with the remaining agreed $725 million to be raised by Boeing and partners. The first prototype should take to the air for the first time in 2028 and from 2030 it could perhaps be used for commercial flights.