Usually, when one thinks of an airplane, a huge tubular structure with wings and a tail attached comes to mind. It’s no secret that this traditional superstructure doesn’t generate much lift, despite the number of passengers or cargo it can carry. Of course, alternative designs have been developed for these precise reasons, some of which have even reached series production. Notable examples include the United States Air Force’s B-2 Spirit bomber and the B-1 Lancer, both featuring a blended wing body (BWB).

Outside the military, however, BWBs are a rare sight. In the world of passenger aircraft, the tubular wing-fuselage pattern introduced by the early commercial airplanes has been retained in modern designs, often making it difficult to distinguish one aircraft from another.

This may soon change, however, as there is growing interest in passenger BWBs within the industry. This is largely due to the significant increase in efficiency, quieter performance, and larger internal payload volume—all attributes that are highly valued by airline operators and can also benefit passengers.

The Historical Development of Aviation Superstructures

The development of aircraft in civil aviation has not seen the wide-scale adoption of “bare wing” aircraft. The first successful powered aircraft, particularly the Wright Flyer, is notable for its focus on simplicity and effective wing lift. The Wright Flyer did not have much of a fuselage; it primarily consisted of wings, a rudimentary control system, and a lightweight structure that resembled a glider.

This design approach took inspiration from birds by enabling control through wing twisting, making it an early experiment in replicating natural flight control mechanisms.

As aviation rapidly evolved particularly during World War I the familiar aircraft design emerged: a distinct fuselage coupled with more sophisticated control surfaces such as rudders and elevators. Biplanes and triplanes were the initial designs, but these gave way to monoplanes, especially for passenger aircraft. This transition was primarily driven by the need for greater internal capacity, which could be achieved by lengthening or widening the fuselage.

Despite experiments with early BWBs, such as the Westland Dreadnought of 1924, the Miles M.30 of 1938, the McDonnell XP-67 interceptor of 1944, and the Burnelli CBY-3 of Canada, these early experiments saw limited success. The McDonnell XP-67, for instance, was an ambitious project but ultimately failed to meet expectations during US Army trials.

The Burnelli CBY-3 fared somewhat better, with the only CBY-3 aircraft being used as a commercial passenger plane until its retirement in 1964. It was later restored and now forms part of the New England Air Museum collection in Windsor Locks, Connecticut.

The scarcity of successful BWB designs up until the 1960s led many to believe that the aerodynamic benefits of BWBs might not justify the challenges. Nevertheless, the 1970s saw a renewed interest, driven by advances in materials and a better understanding of aerodynamics. This renewed interest is reflected in ongoing projects and prototype development.

Advantages and Disadvantages of the BWB Design

The advantages of blending the wings into the fuselage are numerous and compelling. The primary benefit is the reduction in wetted area, which is the portion of the aircraft’s surface exposed to the atmosphere. By reducing this area, the aircraft experiences less drag, leading to greater fuel efficiency. Furthermore, the entire fuselage effectively contributes to lift, transforming the plane into one large wing. This results in increased lift-to-drag ratios, which are crucial for reducing operational costs and emissions.

A notable example of this aerodynamic efficiency can be seen in the Northrop Grumman B-2 Spirit, a military aircraft designed with a pure fly-by-wire control system. Fly-by-wire technology allows the inherently unstable aerodynamic shape to be kept stable through continuous computer adjustments, thus maintaining safety and control. In the civilian sphere, this could lead to passenger aircraft that are both efficient and capable of longer ranges.

However, there are notable challenges as well. The traditional tube-and-wing design provides a natural stability, which is inherently sacrificed in a BWB layout. The Lockheed F-117 Nighthawk, for example, was known for its poor aerodynamics, leading it to be nicknamed the “flying brick.”

Though the fly-by-wire systems were able to stabilize the aircraft, such designs are less than ideal for passenger comfort, as constant minor adjustments can lead to a bumpier ride. Additionally, the transition to BWB designs will require overcoming regulatory hurdles and developing new standards for safety and structural integrity.

Innovations in the Pursuit of BWB Passenger Aircraft

Within the constraints of the tube-wing design, commercial aviation has seen incremental but consistent improvements over the decades. Each new generation of passenger aircraft has delivered greater fuel efficiency, quieter engines, and improved aerodynamics. These optimizations, however, are now approaching their practical limits.

Moving towards a commercial BWB jet could yield significant gains, including multi-digit percentage reductions in fuel consumption. This would also translate into decreased carbon emissions, an increasingly important metric for airlines aiming to meet sustainability goals.

Several key players in the aerospace industry are actively pursuing BWB designs for commercial use. Airbus, for example, has been exploring BWB configurations through its MAVERIC project, an innovative scale model designed to test the feasibility of new concepts for future airliners. Similarly, NASA has been working on the N3-X, a hybrid-wing-body concept that aims to reduce fuel consumption and noise pollution. Companies like JetZero and startups such as Nautilus are also developing prototypes aimed at demonstrating the viability of BWBs for commercial use.

Passenger Experience in a BWB Aircraft

The passenger experience in a BWB aircraft is expected to be fundamentally different from what travelers are accustomed to today. Traditional commercial airliners feature a long, narrow cabin with two or three aisles. A BWB aircraft, on the other hand, would have a much wider fuselage, potentially featuring open seating areas, lounge-style arrangements, and even windows on the ceiling.

The potential for a cabin layout that diverges significantly from the current format offers designers more creative freedom, but also introduces challenges, such as ensuring efficient evacuation in the event of an emergency.

The first images of BWB interiors such as those of the Airbus MAVERIC show a futuristic layout with seating that feels more akin to a high-tech lounge than the rows of seats we’re used to. These early concepts indicate that BWB aircraft could offer greater comfort, more amenities, and a less crowded feeling. However, ensuring that these new layouts meet regulatory requirements for passenger safety, including factors like exit accessibility and rapid evacuation, will be a crucial challenge for manufacturers.

From a psychological standpoint, passengers may initially be wary of flying in aircraft with such unconventional designs, particularly if the window seats that many travelers prefer are not possible due to the layout. Addressing passenger comfort and perception will thus be just as important as meeting technical and regulatory benchmarks.

The Future of BWB Aircraft in Commercial Aviation

The idea of commercial BWB aircraft is not just a futuristic dream; it represents a logical next step in the evolution of aviation technology. As environmental concerns grow, the push for more efficient, lower-emission aircraft becomes more urgent. BWBs could play a significant role in addressing these concerns by offering a drastic improvement in fuel efficiency.

Though only scale models and prototypes exist at the moment, the progress being made is encouraging. With major companies like Airbus, NASA, and startups such as JetZero actively developing these aircraft, the prospect of seeing a BWB passenger plane in the skies within the next few decades seems increasingly plausible. A transition to BWB designs could mark the most significant shift in commercial aviation since the introduction of the jet engine, heralding a new era of innovation that balances efficiency with passenger comfort.

The potential of bare wing planes, or blended wing bodies, is enormous. While the challenges of regulation, engineering, and passenger acceptance are substantial, the benefits including significant fuel savings, reduced emissions, and increased capacity make this an exciting frontier in aviation. The designs of tomorrow might just take inspiration from the earliest flight experiments, combining the best of natural aerodynamics with cutting-edge technology to redefine air travel as we know it.