At the Oshkosh EAA AirVenture, multiple U.S airlines have joined up to back the NASA-Boeing Flight Demonstrator program being developed.
It is understood that the following airlines are part of this agreement:
- Alaska Airlines
- American Airlines
- Delta Air Lines
- Southwest Airlines
- United Airlines.
Major Agreement from Oshkosh…
This major agreement at Oshkosh will see the airlines provide input on operational efficiencies, maintenance, handling characteristics, and airport compatibility.
- Design: Airline participants will share feedback on sustainable operations and airport compatibility. While the X-66A will have a wingspan of 145 feet, the TTBW design could be used by airplanes of different sizes and missions and may benefit from folding wing tips to accommodate existing airport infrastructure.
- Simulation and lab testing: Airline pilots will have a chance to experience the X-66A through a flight simulator and assess the vehicle’s handling characteristics.
- Flight testing: Airline operations and maintenance teams will assess the X-66A as modifications are made to the airplane. Flight testing is slated for 2028 and 2029 out of NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center at Edwards Air Force Base.
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Within this announcement, both NASA & Boeing unveiled the livery for the X-66A Flight Demonstrator too.
Expanding on this was Todd Citron, Boeing‘s Chief Technology Officer:
“Hearing directly from the operators during all phases of the Sustainable Flight Demonstrator project will help us understand exact requirements and tradeoffs”.
“The airlines’ feedback will significantly contribute to the X-66A project learnings while furthering aviation sustainability.”
The X-66A is going to be tested using the Transonic Truss-Braced Wing (TTBW) airframe configuration and will be built from a modified MD-90 aircraft.
Either way, it is indeed a major announcement regarding this program at Oshkosh, and all eyes will be on those involved to see how much further they can take this.
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