Page 10 - AAA March / April 2024 Digital Magazine | GBP

O’Leary says the JetZero Z-5
airframe solves all those
problems.
“

It’s simple and

straightforward
when we have hardly
changed the configura-
tion since the 707 with

the propulsion side
delivering the gains.
Now we make this Business Class Concept
change in the shape

because the planet
demands it and the air-
lines demand it, we go
to 50% lower fuel burn

and emissions. It’s
physics - lift, weight,
drag and thrust.”

He rightly explains that the
engine gains while very impres-
sive over the decades have Economy Class Concept
become complex as the industry
strives to get to the holy grail of will involve JetZero’s partner improvement and
net zero. O’Leary says another Northrop Grumman which taps
huge plus for the JetZero design Northrop’s pedigree in fly- greenhouse gas emis-
is that it will use existing proven ing-wing stealth bombers. sions reduction.”
technology.
The U.S. Air Force has The demonstrator will be pow-
Driving the game changing ered by Pratt & Whitney’s
project JetZero won U.S. Air stated that the BWB Geared Turbofan.
Force backing last August to “is one of the single
build a demonstrator for the Z-5 most impactful tech- Also known as a hybrid wing
with projected 50% cut in fuel body, JetZero configuration is
consumption to open the doors nology opportunities tailless and more efficient than
of the airline industry as well the for future U.S. Air a conventional tube-and-wing
Pentagon. Force aircraft, both design because of its reduced

The U.S. Air Force $235 million in terms of capability wetted area, friction drag and
lower form drag. BWBs are also

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