Filur

The Filur is a research‑demonstrator aircraft produced by Saab Group in collaboration with several European aerospace partners. Its development began in 2014 as part of the EU‑funded CleanSky2 program, and the prototype first flew on 12 May 2018 from Linköping‑Västerås Airport. Unlike conventional transport jets, Filur combines a blended‑wing body with a pair of ultra‑quiet, variable‑pitch ducted fans mounted on the rear fuselage. The airframe incorporates morphing wing sections that can change camber in flight, reducing drag by up to 15 percent, while the hybrid‑electric propulsion system allows the fans to operate at optimal speed for any phase of flight, cutting fuel burn and emissions. Advanced active‑noise‑cancellation liners and a novel fan‑blade spacing further lower perceived cabin and ground‑level noise, meeting the ICAO Stage 5 requirements. The aircraft’s open‑architecture flight‑control software enables rapid testing of new aerodynamic concepts, making Filur a versatile platform for academia and industry. Its significance lies in proving that integrated aerodynamic and propulsion innovations can deliver measurable environmental benefits, influencing the design direction of next‑generation regional and short‑haul airliners. Saab aims to scale the technology to a 70‑seat demonstrator by 2027, and the data are already feeding the upcoming Saab A340 concept, promising quieter, greener operations for airlines.