7/7/2015 Nasa's concept planes could make supersonic travel common | Online Aircraft Charter Washington DC Metro Area's Largest Most Established Aircraft Operator

Feedback Like 2.7m Follow @MailOnline DailyMail Tuesday, Jul 7th 2015 8AM 72°F 11AM 75°F 5­Day Forecast

Home U.K. News Sports U.S. Showbiz Australia Femail Health Science Money Video Travel Columnists

Latest Headlines Science Pictures Login

YOU MIGHT LIKE Sponsored Links by Taboola

Mortgage Rates Hit 2.89% APR (15 yr). See If You're Eligible LendingTree

Brilliant Mortgage Payoff Method Has Banks On Edge Comparisons.org

Can This Startup Bankrupt the Razor Giants? Dollar Shave Club

Drivers Surprised They Never Knew This Rule Provide­Savings Insurance Quotes

How you can make social media work for your career Dailymail.com

14 Over­The­Top Grills That Take BBQing To The Next Level Elite Daily

The shape of wings to come: Nasa's weird and wonderful concept planes could someday make supersonic travel commonplace Nasa's archive of future aircraft concept designs feature needle­like bodies, sleek fuselages and delta wings One of the most popular designs is something called the 'hybrid wing body' which improves aerodynamics Similarly, the 'double bubble' D8 Series future aircraft design uses a very wide fuselage to provide extra lift Aeronautics engineers are also working to define a new standard for sonic booms to improve travel speed

By ELLIE ZOLFAGHARIFARD FOR MAILONLINE PUBLISHED: 11:08 EST, 9 December 2014 | UPDATED: 04:40 EST, 10 December 2014 202 96 shares View comments

Planes that travel faster than the speed of sound using radical 'hybrid wing body' designs could be the future of travel, according to concepts developed by Nasa. The US space agency has been working with manufacturers to design the next generation of planes that will make travelling around the world faster and more fuel efficient. Its archive of designs reveals just how different planes may appear in as little as ten years, with radical designs featuring needle­like bodies, sleek fuselages and delta wings.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article­2866982/The­shape­wings­come­Nasa­s­weird­wonderful­concept­planes­someday­make­supersonic­travel­… 1/10 7/7/2015 Nasa's concept planes could make supersonic travel common | Daily Mail Online

+9

This computer­generated image shows a possible future 'flying wing' aircraft in flight over populated areas. This kind of design, produced by Northrop Grumman, would most likely carry cargo and then also carry passengers. Nasa says something like this could be in service in 2025

One of the most popular designs is something called the 'hybrid wing body,' which is sometimes described as a blended wing body, according to a report in Gizmodo. In this design, the wing blends seamlessly into the body of the aircraft, which makes it extremely aerodynamic and creates dramatic cuts in fuel consumption, noise and emissions.

SHARE THIS RELATED ARTICLES ARTICLE How your phone is more Remote­controlled car? No, powerful than ORION: this is the world's most... Computer in...

In 2012, Nasa successfully tested the X­48C ­ a 'hybrid wing­body' plane with a greater internal volume for passengers and cargo. The triangle­shaped plane is reminiscent of spy planes and designed to cut through the air more efficiently. With a 21 ft (6.54 metre) wingspan, the aircraft was an 8.5 per cent scale model of a heavy­lift, subsonic airplane with a 240­foot wingspan that could be developed in the next 15 to 20 years for military applications.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article­2866982/The­shape­wings­come­Nasa­s­weird­wonderful­concept­planes­someday­make­supersonic­travel­… 2/10 7/7/2015 Nasa's concept planes could make supersonic travel common | Daily Mail Online

+9

Our ability to fly at supersonic speeds over land in civil aircraft depends on the ability to reduce the level of sonic booms. Nasa has been exploring a variety of options for quieting the boom, starting with design concepts and moving through wind tunnel tests to flight tests of new technologies. This rendering of a possible future civil supersonic transport shows a vehicle that is shaped to reduce the sonic shockwave

+9

The 'double bubble' D8 Series future aircraft design concept comes from the research team led by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Based on a modified tube and wing with a very wide fuselage to provide extra lift, its low sweep wing reduces drag and weight; the embedded engines sit aft of the wings. The D8 series aircraft would be used for domestic flights and has been designed with a 2030­2035 timeframe http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article­2866982/The­shape­wings­come­Nasa­s­weird­wonderful­concept­planes­someday­make­supersonic­travel­… 3/10 7/7/2015 Nasa's concept planes could make supersonic travel common | Daily Mail Online

This is radically different to the 'double bubble' D8 Series future aircraft design concept which comes from a research team led by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Based on a modified tube and wing with a very wide fuselage to provide extra lift, its low sweep wing reduces drag and weight; the embedded engines sit aft of the wings. 'The idea there is to take some of the lift that you would normally get from the wings and try and move that to the fuselage,' said Michael Rogers, a research at Nasa's Ames Research Centre. 'Another thing that's done to enable laminar flow on this vehicle is to reduce the sweep of the wings. It is easier to maintain laminar flow if the wings, instead of being swept back like a lot of modern commercial transports, are more sort of perpendicular to the side of the body of the plane. COULD THE FUTURE OF AIR TRAVEL BE HYPERSONIC? Supersonic could be superseded by something even faster. Mach 2.5 is about the speed limit for gas­turbine engines. Any faster and the temperature and pressure of air entering the engine is too high for the turbo machinery inside. To fly at hypersonic speed ­ Mach 5 and above ­ requires a different type of engine. A supersonic­combustion ramjet, or scramjet, has no moving parts. Instead of the rotating compressor and turbine in a jet engine, air is compressed and expanded by complex systems of shockwaves under the front of the aircraft, inside the inlet and under the fuselage at the rear. Scramjets have been under development for decades, but a breakthrough came in May 2013, when the U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory’s Boeing X­51A WaveRider flew for 240 seconds over the Pacific on scramjet power, reaching Mach 5.1 and running until its fuel was exhausted. The next step is to build a high­speed cruise missile, able to strike distant targets in minutes, not hours. Lockheed Martin’s Skunk Works ­ builder of the Mach 3.5 SR­71 Blackbird spyplane ­ has unveiled plans to develop a successor, dubbed the SR­72. Designed for reconnaissance and strike missions, the SR­72 would combine turbojet and ramjet/scramjet engines to enable the aircraft to take off from a runway, accelerate to a Mach 6 cruise, and then return to a conventional runway landing. If it can secure funding from the U.S. Defense Department, Lockheed Martin believes a prototype could be flying as soon as 2023 and the SR­72 could enter service by 2030, potentially paving the way for commercial applications of scramjet technology.

+9

This future aircraft design concept comes from the research team led by GE Aviation. Much lighter and more aerodynamic than current aircraft with the same capacity, the 20­passenger aircraft would reduce fuel consumption and noise and enable business jet­like travel between more than 1,300 airports. It features ultra­quiet turboprop engines and virtual reality windows

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article­2866982/The­shape­wings­come­Nasa­s­weird­wonderful­concept­planes­someday­make­supersonic­travel­… 4/10 7/7/2015 Nasa's concept planes could make supersonic travel common | Daily Mail Online

+9

The 'Icon­II' future aircraft design concept for supersonic flight over land was created by Boeing with the help of Nasa. Its design is meant to save fuel. It also achieves large reductions in sonic boom noise levels that will meet the target level required to make supersonic flight over land possible

+9

This idea for a possible future aircraft is called a 'hybrid wing body' or sometimes a blended wing body. In this design, the wing blends seamlessly into the body of the aircraft, which makes it extremely aerodynamic and holds great promise for dramatic reductions in fuel consumption, noise and emissions

Aeronautics engineers are also working to define a new standard for low sonic booms. They have been busy gathering data in order to create new, quieter planes that could help overturn the current ban on supersonic flight over land. ‘Lessening sonic booms ­ shock waves caused by an aircraft flying faster than the speed of sound ­ is the most significant hurdle to reintroducing http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article­2866982/The­shape­wings­come­Nasa­s­weird­wonderful­concept­planes­someday­make­supersonic­travel­… 5/10 7/7/2015 Nasa's concept planes could make supersonic travel common | Daily Mail Online commercial supersonic flight,’ said Peter Coen, head of the High Speed Project in Nasa’s Aeronautics Research Mission Directorate, Washington. ‘Other barriers include high altitude emissions, fuel efficiency and community noise around airports.’ 'We are nowhere near the maximum that we can get out of this industry,' added Nasa engineer Ruben Del Rosario. 'There is a lot of work to do.'

+9

This artist's concept shows a possible future subsonic aircraft using a boxed­ or joined­wing configuration to reduce drag and increase fuel efficiency. This design of an aircraft that could enter service in the 2020 timeframe

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article­2866982/The­shape­wings­come­Nasa­s­weird­wonderful­concept­planes­someday­make­supersonic­travel­… 6/10 7/7/2015 Nasa's concept planes could make supersonic travel common | Daily Mail Online

+9

Boeing's advanced vehicle concept centers around the familiar blended wing body design like the X­48. What makes this design different is the placement of its Pratt & Whitney geared turbofan engines on the top of the plane's back end, flanked by two vertical tails to shield people on the ground from engine noise

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article­2866982/The­shape­wings­come­Nasa­s­weird­wonderful­concept­planes­someday­make­supersonic­travel­… 7/10 7/7/2015 Nasa's concept planes could make supersonic travel common | Daily Mail Online

+9

The Silent Efficient Low Emissions Commercial Transport, or Select, future aircraft design comes from the research team led by Northrop Grumman Systems Corporation.Deceptively conventional­looking, the concept features advanced lightweight ceramic composite materials and nanotechnology and shape memory alloys

Read more: These are NASA's coolest and strangest airplanes of the future

Share or comment on this article Oh they have reinvented concord 202 by mikky­mike 97 shares

Sponsored Links by Taboola

Flashback to Britney Spears Cable TV Is Dying. Here's What 3 Things That Golf Pros Do That Stop Paying $300 for Glasses ­ Is This The Brightest Flashlight Best Fashion Moments Comes Next Amateurs Don't Here's How! Available? Lucky Shops The Motley Fool Hank Haney University Glasses USA G700 Flashlight

How "gut bugs" can ADD up to 7 25 Celebs You Forgot The Secret Upgrade for Gmail The Very Last Photos Taken Of Does YOUR cat have Instagram INCHES to your waist (not good) Committed Horrible Crimes: That Google Doesn't Talk About Famous People Before They star potential? eFactor Diet Guide #19 is Shocking Boomerang for Gmail Died Daily Mail LifeDaily BuzzLamp

MOST WATCHED NEWS VIDEOS http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article­2866982/The­shape­wings­come­Nasa­s­weird­wonderful­concept­planes­someday­make­supersonic­travel­… 8/10 7/7/2015 Nasa's concept planes could make supersonic travel common | Daily Mail Online

Bull Mastiff throws Man is dragged under See the world through Grizzly bears caught William and Kate arrive Video captures Florida messy little buddy under and killed by alligator in the eyes of someone fighting at Minnesota Zoo for Princess Charlotte's State QB punching the bus Texas marina with Asperger's exhibit christening woman in bar

Ads by Google Aircraft Charter www.chantillyair.com/ Alberta Train Trips travelalberta.us/Train Washington DC Metro Area's Largest Most Established Aircraft Operator Experience the Rockies by Train. Train Sightseeing Tour Packages. Aviation Insurance aviationinsurors.com Tomvale Aviation Software www.ground­school.com Leading Edge Aviation Insurance Excellence in Aviation Insurance USA FAA Ground School Software for Pilot Training. Interactive and Fun

MOST READ NEWS ● ●

Mother of Fourth of July Inside the Obamas' EXCLUSIVE: She EXCLUSIVE: I'm the Kate's little cutie Sealed with a kiss! Californian woman reveler is killed $12million summer loved her wrap real Magic Mike ­ I entrances a nation: Team USA celebrate

C omments (96) Share what you think

Newest Oldest Best rated Worst rated

View all

The comments below have not been moderated.

Jim, leicester, United Kingdom, 6 months ago Concord and the Vulcan bomber come to mind

Click to rate 3 1

THE WEEPING ANGEL, The Medusa Cascade, United Kingdom, 6 months ago Not just 'wow' but very 'wow.'

Click to rate 1 1

marc, tonypandy, United Kingdom, 6 months ago The top picture looks very much like the Horton H0 229.

Click to rate 4 2

fooddeserts.org, Newport, United Kingdom, 6 months ago Oh goody, London to New York in 35 minutes ­ but it will still take you 5 hours to get to Heathrow, 4 hours through security, 3 hours waiting for the delayed flight, and 5 hours to get from JFK airport to the city.

Click to rate 19 1

What Really Happened, EUSSR, United Kingdom, 6 months ago Great idea, let's call it Concorde

Click to rate 12 6

2 of 3 replies See all replies

Old Eric, East Essex Engerland, United Kingdom, 6 months ago Patrick, Ayrshire ­ "...why is Britain not building something to replace it (Concorde)?..." Because Britain is BROKE thanks to 13 years of New Labour's orgy of spending and borrowing.

Click to rate 5 2

Patrick, Ayrshire and Proud, United Kingdom, 6 months ago If Britain can not afford to build a replacement for the Concorde, does that mean no one else can either?. Nonsense. Let's have modern research applied to building the Next Generation. Doesn't matter who actually builds. it.

Click to rate 4 3

Stormy Wolf, Over Here, United Kingdom, 6 months ago If they built anti­gravity craft capable of travelling in atmosphere and space then I be interested .... anything with jet engine is nothing new, just refined. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article­2866982/The­shape­wings­come­Nasa­s­weird­wonderful­concept­planes­someday­make­supersonic­travel­… 9/10 7/7/2015 Nasa's concept planes could make supersonic travel common | Daily Mail Online

Click to rate 6 4

Brian, NZ, New Zealand, 6 months ago If an aircraft could take off and stay in a geo stationery position it could just wait until its chosen landing location appeared then land. In theory the world would pass you by in a day.

Click to rate 5 5

SpaceCadet, Shrewsbury, 6 months ago That would be the most boring flight ever.

Click to rate 2 2

And facts, Seattle, United States, 6 months ago Would it be too much to ask for the next future plane to have ALL first class seats AND be reasonably priced?

Click to rate 11 1

snicklin99, Warwickshire, United Kingdom, 6 months ago Yes. You know what'll happen, they'll cut the cost of flying you by 75% but reduce the cost of the flight by 5% and then they'll harp on about how great they are for the consumer with their forward­thinking research and development. They'll also sell it to us all by stating that the toilets are 15% bigger and every gets an extra bread roll.

Click to rate 7 1

Cliveb4, Cape Town, 6 months ago Does all this mean we will get more leg room, I doubt it? That is the one thing I want from future air travel, space for my knees.

Click to rate 14 1

snicklin99, Warwickshire, United Kingdom, 6 months ago That will cost you more! Although I'm tall, I would prefer more elbow room, I hate sitting there trying to resemble an earthworm in a seat.

Click to rate 7 0

Pete, Shepherds Bush, United Kingdom, 6 months ago A good mate of mine is only 4'8".... I was bellyaching about discomfort on planes and he said, "You don't have enough legroom? What a shame!"

Click to rate 1 0

Don The Hitman, Skiatook, United States, 6 months ago Wake me up when they're passing out jet packs. Until then, just more empty promises.

Click to rate 7 1

snicklin99, Warwickshire, United Kingdom, 6 months ago President Bush (2) said that man would be on Mars by 2013. I agree.

Click to rate 3 3

marc, tonypandy, United Kingdom, 6 months ago snicklin99, they are already there. GOVERNMENT!!!!!!

Click to rate 1 2

View all

The views expressed in the contents above are those of our users and do not necessarily reflect the views of MailOnline.

We are no longer accepting comments on this article.

Who is this week's top commenter? Find out now

MORE TOP STORIES

Back to top Home U.K. News Sports U.S. Showbiz Australia Femail Health Science Money Video Travel Columnists

Sitemap Archive Video Archive Mobile Apps RSS Text­based site Reader Prints Our Papers Top of page Daily Mail Mail on Sunday This is Network This is Money Metro Jobsite Mail Travel Zoopla.co.uk Prime Location

Published by Associated Newspapers Ltd Part of the Daily Mail, & Metro Media Group

© Associated Newspapers Ltd Contact us How to complain Advertise with us Syndication US Careers at DailyMail.com Terms Privacy policy & cookies http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article­2866982/The­shape­wings­come­Nasa­s­weird­wonderful­concept­planes­someday­make­supersonic­travel… 10/10