American Military Made Variant Series X-48 By Boeing

Boeing X-48A, X-48B And Boeing X-48C AirCraft

The Boeing Phantom Works Made Variant Series X-48C is currently developing the Blended Wing Body (BWB) aircraft concept in cooperation with the NASA Langley Research Center. In a continuing effort to study the flight characteristics of the BWB design, a small remote controlled model has been successfully flown. The next step is to fly the 35-foot long X-48 currently being built at Langley. Test flights are scheduled to begin in 2004.

The X-48A was made primarily of composites, had a wing span of 10.7 m (35 ft) and was powered by three small Williams J24-8 turbojets. As of mid-2001, the plans called for a completion of the vehicle by the end of 2002, ground tests through 2003, and a first flight in 2004. However, problems in the development of the flight control system as well as changing priorities at NASA led to the termination of the X-48A program (probably in early 2002).

The X-48C BWB concept reportedly offers greater structural, aerodynamic and operating efficiencies than today’s more conventional tube-and-wing designs. Its modular design also allows for center body growth while maintaining common wings. These features translate into greater range, fuel economy, reliability and life cycle savings, as well as lower manufacturing costs. They also allow for a wide variety of potential military and commercial applications.

The other one we just tested in the Langley Full-Scale Tunnel is the X-48C. It's been modified to make it even quieter. We're assessing the aerodynamic effects of those modifications." Those changes include reducing the number of engines from three to two and the installation of vertical fins to shield the engine noise.
It was actually a big thrill for me to be back at the Langley Full-Scale Tunnel," said Dharmendra Patel, project manager for the X-48C at Boeing Research & Technology. "I think it's a big privilege that we were the last test here, that we get to be part of the history of the tunnel. But it is a little bittersweet that the facility will be closed down.

The first flight of the X-48B eventually occurred on 20 July 2007. The vehicle is controlled by a pilot on the ground, who sees video transmitted by a forward-looking camera in the aircraft. After the initial low-speed flights, higher-speed tests were performed in test phase II. The latter required some modifications to the X-48B to increase its maximum speed. Phase II flight tests eventually began in spring 2008. By April 2009, 50 X-48B flights had been completed successfully, and a follow-on test program is planned to explore the limits of the vehicle's flight envelope.