JetZero

New aircraft concepts offer hope for airlines struggling with high fuel prices—and for Boeing in its quest to remain commercially relevant.

As Russia pulls out of the CR929 and Airbus and Boeing sit on their hands, JetZero is showing that its radical new concept just might be for real.

The U.S. Air Force’s research and acquisition bureaucracy will play only a supporting role as the service’s energy office leads flight demonstration.

After three decades of studies, the BWB will finally become full-scale as JetZero and Scaled Composites ramp up for a multirole U.S. Air Force project.

Neither OEM has plans for new aircraft programs in the next one or two decades where it matters most in terms of emissions reduction—in the long-haul segment.

The award completes a yearlong selection process managed by the Defense Innovation Unit.

JetZero says the demonstrator will provide the platform for a mid-market aircraft with capacity for up to 250 passengers and a range of at least 5,000 nm.

Readers write about JetZero’s blended wingbody, SpaceX’s Starship/Super Heavy launch failure and airliner engine nacelles. Plus: Behind the Scenes at Boeing.