A Future Aircraft Design, Supercomputed

No, it’s not hypermodern art. This image from a simulation generated by NASA’s high-performance computers, shows a Transonic Truss Braced Wing (TTBW) aircraft concept being tested in a virtual wind tunnel, showing how its wings interact with the air around them. In this case, the dark red area along the front of the wing represents higher-speed airflow as the TTBW’s wings, which are thinner than those of today’s commercial airliners, pierce the air. The tan-colored area shows the relatively smooth wake generated by the aerodynamic wings. A TTBW aircraft produces less drag due to its longer, thinner wings supported by aerodynamic trusses. In flight, it could consume up to 10% less jet fuel than a standard airliner. In January, NASA selected a TTBW concept from The Boeing Company for its Sustainable Flight Demonstrator project. Text Credit: John Gould, Aeronautics Research Mission Directorate

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