JetZero’s ambitious project centers around constructing a full-scale demonstrator to validate the performance of the Blended Wing Body (BWB) design.
JetZero with The United States Air Force has embarked on a groundbreaking collaboration. The partnership aims to develop an aircraft that not only slashes fuel consumption and emissions but also significantly reduces noise levels while enhancing the passenger experience. JetZero’s ambitious project centers around constructing a full-scale demonstrator to validate the performance of the Blended Wing Body (BWB) design.
In an era of rapid air traffic growth, projected to increase by 3.6 percent annually, the imperative to decarbonize the aviation industry has reached a critical juncture. The global airline fleet is projected to nearly double to approximately 47,700 aircraft by 2041, according to Cirium, a prominent aviation analytics firm. JetZero’s innovative aircraft design could play a pivotal role in mitigating the industry’s carbon footprint and ushering in a new era of sustainable aviation.
Tom O’Leary, CEO, JetZero said, “The BWB is the best first step on the path to zero carbon emissions. It offers 50% lower fuel burn using today’s engines and the airframe efficiency needed to support a transition to zero carbon emissions propulsion in the future. No other proposed aircraft comes close in terms of efficiency.”
The heart of JetZero’s demonstrator, the inaugural member of a prospective BWB aircraft family, incorporates current engines and systems. The BWB design, a concept under study by NASA and other institutions for over three decades, possesses the adaptability to transition to hydrogen propulsion in the future, effectively achieving zero carbon emissions.
Under the terms of a substantial award from the U.S. Department of Defense’s Defense Innovation Unit (DIU), JetZero is set to receive $235 million over a span of four years. The culmination of this investment will be the first flight of the full-scale demonstrator, anticipated by the first quarter of 2027. Established in 2015, the DIU endeavors to accelerate the integration of emerging commercial technologies into the U.S. military landscape.
JetZero’s collaboration extends to industry giants Northrop Grumman and Scaled Composites, renowned for their prowess in advanced aircraft design, manufacturing, and mission systems integration. Additionally, JetZero has partnered with Pratt & Whitney GTF engines to power the demonstrator, with Pratt & Whitney GATORWORKS lending expertise in the design and integration of the propulsion system within the demonstrator.
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Positioned at the forefront of pioneering aviation technology, JetZero is spearheading endeavors to expand BWB technology and unveil its potential for both military and commercial aviation markets. This collaboration with the U.S. Air Force serves as a testament to JetZero’s dedication to shaping the future of aviation, combating climate challenges, and ushering in an era of sustainable flight.
