According to a joint press release by KLM and Delft University of Technology (TU Delft), these two entities have pooled their expertise and resources to work on a what could be a game changing airplane design for the future.
This airplane's futuristic design incorporates the passenger cabin, cargo hold and fuel tanks, that by design, increase its aerodynamic shape and fuel efficiency. Moreover, this unique design reduces drag and is lighter weight than a traditionally designed airplane, resulting in a twenty (20%) percent reduction in fuel consumption as compared to the Airbus A350, its current day counterpart.
As noted in its press release, "the Flying-V is propelled by the most fuel-efficient turbofan engines that currently exist. In its present design it still flies on kerosene, but it can easily be adapted to make use of innovations in the propulsion system – by using electrically-boosted turbofans for example." The Flying-V's ability to adapt to different forms of innovation in its propulsion system provides this airplane design with a real chance of going into to production in the future.
Image source: TU Delft
留言