Boeing X-48
Boeing · United States · first flew 2007 · reconnaissance aircraft
The Boeing X-48 is a subscale unmanned blended-wing-body (BWB) technology demonstrator built to explore the aerodynamic and control characteristics of a large flying-wing transport concept. It represents a potential future airliner or military transport configuration offering significantly greater fuel efficiency than conventional tube-and-wing designs.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Mid-mounted, swept |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 3 × turbojet, tail-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | Blended wing body (BWB) demonstrator with no distinct fuselage |
| T — Tail | No tailplane |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Blended wing body (BWB) demonstrator with no distinct fuselage
- Three small turbojet engines mounted on upper rear surface
- Smooth continuous wing-body blending across entire span
Unmistakable as a pure blended-wing-body shape with no separate fuselage, no conventional tail surfaces, and engines mounted on pylons above the aft centrebody.
Specifications
- The Boeing X-48 has a length of 2.1 m (7 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 6.4 m (21 ft).
- Typical crew: 0 (unmanned).
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
Boeing and NASA began the X-48 programme in the early 2000s, with the X-48B (three-engine) flying its first test flight in July 2007 at Edwards Air Force Base. A refined X-48C variant with two engines and winglets flew from 2012, completing the research programme in 2013.
Variants
The X-48B used three Williams International turbojet engines and performed 92 flights; the X-48C was a two-engine variant with shielded engines and modified wingtips to reduce noise.
Where you'll see it
Purely a NASA/Boeing research aircraft operating from Edwards AFB; the data gathered informs potential future large blended-wing-body transports or tankers.
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