Future aircraft fly in flocks like birds

Flying in groups like birds, seamless technology, aerial refueling, . is expected to be the popular technology of passenger aircraft in the future.

1. Seamless technology

Boeing's X-48B test aircraft model is specially designed, with the wing and body part adjacent. According to the British Society of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE), the Boeing X-48B will likely become the model for passenger aircraft in the coming decades, as this design helps to save fuel compared to a separate wing model. current body.

Dr. Philippa Oldham, a member of the ImechE, explains: " The wing-wing design helps turn the aircraft into a unified block. This helps to increase the aerodynamic efficiency when the aircraft operates."

2. New generation Concorde aircraft

Shaped like a giant arrow, Lockheed Martin Supersonic Green Machine supersonic aircraft can reach a maximum speed of Mach 1.6 (equivalent to 544.46400 m / s, nearly double the speed of sound). If developed, the model will be the "successor" of Concorde - a supersonic passenger jet model that has not been exploited in the world.

Concorde aircraft had to shut down in 2003 due to high maintenance costs and security concerns. However, new generation supersonic aircraft can be produced at a cheaper and safer cost thanks to today's advances.

3. Static ultrasonic jet engine

The SJX61-2 supersonic static jet engine developed by the US Space Agency (NASA) has achieved Mach 5 (equivalent to 1701.45 m / s, 5 times the speed of sound) during the test. test at NASA Langley Research Center in Virginia in 2008.

Ultrasound static jet engines have no moving parts; instead, they are oxygen suction to burn hydrogen fuel. The downside of this engine is that it only operates at speeds above Mach 5 to create the compression required to burn hydrogen. However, Dr. Philippa Oldham believes this problem can be solved in the near future and commercial jet powered aircraft will come true in 15 years.

4. Fly in flocks like birds

In the future, long-distance commercial flights can be grouped in V-pattern to save up to 12% of fuel, according to the ImechE report. In nature, geese and other birds also use this way to save energy during long flights.

When a single bird flies, the air will flow under the wing and create a swirling wind that slows the flight speed. But when flying in a V-shaped flock, the flying birds behind can fly on the swirling wind of the pioneer bird, reducing the resistance for the whole herd.

Engineers also want to try a flying model for airplanes, but the difficulty is that safety levels will decrease as they fly too close together.

"With modern electronic technology, the aircraft can fly at close range to the front aircraft and still ensure safety thanks to the remote-controlled camera sensor. Therefore, the plane flies in the same way as a bird. feasible , " said Dr. Philippa Oldham.

5. Aerial refueling

US Air Force B-2 Spirit bombers are refueled in the air by aircraft KC-10 Extender in July 2006. The refueling of aerial fuel has become popular with military aircraft, but the technology has not yet been applied to passenger aircraft, since the current infrastructure is not yet met.