Boeing
Boeing X-48
The Boeing X‑48 is an experimental unmanned aircraft developed by Boeing’s Phantom Works division in collaboration with NASA and several academic partners. First flown in 2004, the X‑48 was created to explore the potential of blended‑wing‑body (BWB) configurations, a concept that integrates the fuselage and wings into a single lifting surface. The prototype, a slender, low‑profile model with a length of roughly 6.5 m and a wingspan of 7.3 m, is powered by a single turbofan engine mounted on the rear of the fuselage. Its flight‑control system employs fly‑by‑wire technology and advanced stability augmentation to manage the unconventional aerodynamic characteristics of a BWB shape. Over a series of flight tests, the X‑48 demonstrated stable cruise performance, low drag, and favorable fuel‑efficiency metrics compared with conventional tube‑and‑wing aircraft. The program’s data have been instrumental in refining computational models and influencing the design of future commercial and military platforms that aim for reduced emissions and lower operating costs. Although the X‑48 itself never entered production, it remains a pivotal stepping stone in the industry’s pursuit of next‑generation, environmentally sustainable aircraft. Lessons learned from the X‑48 also informed Boeing concepts such as the SUGAR Volt and the Phantom Transform project, underscoring a impact on research.
